Beyond Black and White Thinking
While the climate crisis reaches new heights, there is a silver lining: E-mobility stands at an exciting turning point. Innovative materials can pave the way to a sustainable future.
The United Nations has just raised the alarm again. Greenhouse gas emissions are at an all-time high – and 2024 was the warmest year on Earth since weather records began. Fortunately, the International Energy Agency now has some positive news: Climate-friendly electric mobility is picking up speed, as shown in this year's Global EV Outlook.
Global electric vehicle sales hit new records in all major markets during the first quarter of 2025. Looking at the entire year, sales are expected to exceed the 20 million mark – meaning that already more than a quarter of all vehicles sold are powered by electricity. Primarily driven by China, this trend is likely to intensify. If policy settings remain unchanged, the share of electric cars in overall vehicle sales is expected to rise above 40 percent by 2030.
However, there are significant regional differences as high prices for electric vehicles remain a barrier for many potential buyers. The political response varies: Some countries, like Germany under the new government, want to stimulate demand through direct purchase incentives. Others are increasingly focusing on indirect, structural support, such as expanding charging infrastructure.
This development marks a pivotal point. The dichotomic era, in which electric powertrain alone determined whether a vehicle was regarded as sustainable, is ending. As direct subsidies are gradually phased out, market forces can once again operate more freely. This makes the high acquisition costs of electric vehicles even more significant. Doubts surrounding the market viability of electric mobility are growing.
High-tech plastics make EVs more affordable
The new reality presents several challenges for the industry. No more subsidies means that electric vehicles must especially become more cost-effective and affordable through intelligent material and process innovations. High-tech plastics play a key role: They reduce weight and energy consumption, making driving cheaper.
The upside for manufacturers: Plastics also make production processes more efficient. Solutions that combine multiple functions in a single component, reducing complexity and costs, are particularly promising. Not to mention their tremendous design possibilities.
Still, cost efficiency is just one side of the coin. As the focus shifts beyond powertrains, other sustainability aspects also take center stage. Recyclable and circular materials become essential − not just for environmental reasons, but also for economic ones. Mono-material designs, such as in vehicle interiors or headlights made from a single type of plastic, significantly simplify recycling processes. This eliminates the need for complex sorting and separation of plastics at the end of life.
Lightweight, durable materials also improve the overall footprint throughout use and the entire lifecycle. High-tech plastics, as developed and offered by Covestro, thus become a crucial success factor.
The transition from subsidy-driven to market-driven e-mobility could turn out to be a fortunate opportunity. It forces the industry to combine sustainability with economic viability. The result: innovations that make electric vehicles not just more environmentally friendly but also more affordable. A development that could pave e-mobility's way into the mass market. The next status report will be eagerly anticipated.