OBS 5th Report: Electric Mobility. Current Situation, Goals and Challenges Ahead
Spain leads growth in electric vehicle registrations and charging infrastructure
- Plug-in hybrids are on the rise, surpassing diesel, while non-plug-in hybrids consolidate as the first purchase option.
- For the first time in the EU, electric trucks rank as the second purchase option ahead of other alternative fuels, while diesel continues to lose market share.
- 70% of available models are SUVs and large vehicles, which are more expensive and less efficient.
Spain reduces transport emissions (-3%) as well as NOx (-5%) and PM2.5 (-2.8%), though transport remains the main emitter. The country complies with legal limits but still exceeds WHO recommendations. - Lead emissions from transport have doubled (+56.6%) due to second-hand vehicle imports, although they remain below legal thresholds.
- Bureaucracy and lack of transparency are causing losses of more than €114 million and non-compliance with objectives.
September 2025. OBS Business School, part of Planeta Formación y Universidades, publishes its 5th Report on Electric Mobility, led by professor May López, Director of Development at Empresas por la Movilidad Sostenible. The study analyzes sales, industry trends, infrastructure, regulations, and proposes improvement measures.
Between January and June, Spain led European growth in EV registrations and charging infrastructure. However, the production of pure EVs fell by -20.6%, adding to the decline of 2024 (-27.1%), while non-plug-in hybrids (HEVs) grew, despite being phased out of EU registrations by 2035. Spain is currently competing with Brazil for the 8th position in global production.
Global electric mobility grew by +29% and already holds a 20% market share, with over 9 million units sold in the first half of the year. China accounts for 66% of registrations and dominates the supply chain (90% of rare earth refining).
In Spain, for the first time, more electric cars than diesel vehicles were registered. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) outpaced diesel, while HEVs consolidated their position as the top purchase option.
Emission Reduction
Spain has met the interim PNIEC 2025 target, but will not reach the 2030 goal on time. Electric mobility is already showing positive effects: reduction of GHG emissions (-7.6%) and transport emissions (-3%), improved air quality, and greater energy efficiency. However, transport remains the largest emitter, with passenger cars responsible for 65% of road transport emissions — a 76% increase compared to 1990.
NOx (-5%) and PM2.5 (-2.8%) emissions also decreased, though they remain linked to over 20,000 premature deaths. In contrast, lead emissions from transport doubled (+56.6%). The report warns that the lack of circular economy strategies and the predominance of SUVs and large vehicles (70% of the market) limit efficiency. In 2024 alone, thousands of tons of lithium, cobalt, and nickel could have been saved by prioritizing mid-sized vehicles.
Charging Infrastructure
Spain and Brazil stand out as leaders in charging infrastructure, with 47,519 points installed in the first half of the year and strong growth in high-power stations. However, one in five is not operational due to grid connection delays that are three times longer than in other European countries, resulting in over €114 million in losses and unfulfilled objectives.
May López states: “Charging infrastructure must continue to evolve since, while Spain ranks as the European country with the best charging capacity ratio per electric vehicle at 5.7 KW/EV (+307%), it is necessary to guarantee accessibility for heavy-duty vehicles.” Currently, only 8% of the national network (11% in Europe) has the adequate power for them. The report highlights the need to ensure public charging that is efficient, physically accessible, affordable, and supported by transparent information to democratize electric mobility.
By 2030, one in five cars on European roads is expected to be electric, though this pace will depend on geopolitical uncertainty and regulatory changes.
Contenido elaborado por:
Carmen García-Trevijano
Gabinete de Prensa de OBS Business School
