Report Identified Five Global EV Financing Gaps
A new industry report outlines how structural financial hurdles currently impact your ability to adopt electric vehicles.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
Live Poll
Is the transition to electric vehicles becoming more affordable and accessible for you?
The FII Institute and Arthur D. Little identified five major barriers to electric vehicle adoption, ranging from limited charging infrastructure to supply-chain concentration. These financial gaps currently slow the global transition to EVs despite record sales and falling battery costs.
Why it matters
Current capital deployment fails to meet the required pace for EV adoption, meaning global charging infrastructure may struggle to keep up with consumer demand. This creates long-term uncertainty for the accessibility and reliability of electric vehicles in your local neighborhood.
Global EV sales topped 20 million in 2025 as battery prices fell 8% to $108 per kilowatt-hour. However, disparities remain, with EV market shares reaching 40% in Vietnam and 25% in Thailand, compared to 10% in the United States.
The players
FII Institute
A global nonprofit foundation that focuses on the impact of investment on humanity and sustainable future technologies.
Arthur D. Little
A global management consulting firm that specializes in the intersection of strategy, innovation, and technology.
The details
The report highlights that financing gaps in consumer credit and sovereign capital prevent EV growth, particularly in markets where 1.3 billion adults lack financial accounts. To bridge this, authors propose an integrated platform that combines first-loss capital and local-currency protections. Underwriting early charging demand through these financial tools is intended to lower the risk for investors and accelerate infrastructure build-outs.
Timeline
Global electric vehicle sales reached 20 million units in 2025.
The FII Institute and Arthur D. Little released the financing report in October 2026.
An estimated $524 billion is needed for charging infrastructure through 2035.
The Home Front
This report highlights a transition from individual vehicle affordability toward a systemic reliance on large-scale infrastructure financing. It signals that future EV adoption will depend less on retail price drops and more on institutional capital commitments to charging grids.
If you are planning to switch to an electric vehicle, research the current density of public charging stations in your area, as these infrastructure gaps remain a primary industry challenge. Check your local utility provider for any residential charger rebates that may offset the investment costs identified in the report.
The takeaway
Closing the global charging infrastructure gap will require $524 billion in investment by 2035 to sustain current sales growth. As you weigh a potential EV purchase, prioritize confirming the long-term reliability of your neighborhood's charging access.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure behind the transition in our Electric Vehicles section.
Live Poll
Is the transition to electric vehicles becoming more affordable and accessible for you?
