A new report ranks global automakers based on their EV efforts. This means it looks at their current progress in the transition from gas to EVs and determines the company’s status either as a leader, transitioner, or laggard.Â
The research, titled The Global Automaker Rating 2022, was created by The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). According to the study, Tesla and BYD are the only “leaders” among the world’s top 20 light-duty manufacturers.Â
Meanwhile, 12 companies have been categorized as “transitioners,” with BMW and Volkswagen at the top of the list. The six “laggards” include five Japanese brands and one Indian automaker.
Overall Scores: The Global Automaker Rating 2022
The ICCT considered each automaker’s market share, technology, and strategic direction to rank and score each brand. Tesla is the only company on the list to have never made a gas-powered vehicle.
In addition, BYD is quickly becoming an EV-only manufacturer. Although it continues to produce plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs), it produced its final gasoline-only vehicle in March 2022.
On the other hand, it’s interesting to note where General Motors lands on the chart, in comparison to Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota. Still, given its actions about EVs throughout the years, it was unexpected that it ranked the highest position among laggards. Which is closely followed by Honda and Nissan.Â
Despite Honda not having EVs available, it has been experimenting. In contrast, Nissan has had the Leaf on the road for several years.
The strategic vision, or lack thereof, ultimately pushes manufacturers into the laggard category. Since the beginning, Tesla has operated only in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), whereas many of its competitors have ambitious goals for the future. Sadly, the facts show that Toyota’s aim is just 39%, and the ZEV investment is also underwhelming.
