The number of electric cars worldwide is expected to rise by 9.3 percent in 2015, compared to last year, to reach 254,000, data shows.
According to data Anadolu Agency gathered from the U.S.-based information and analysis company IHS's automotive industry research, total number of cars sold last year around the world is expected to rise by 2.4 percent to reach 88.6 millions this year.
Meanwhile, the number of electric cars worldwide is forecast to increase by 9.3 percent to reach 253,599 in 2015, from 231,899 in 2014.
Developed countries lead the world in use of electric cars.
The U.S. has become the top country in electric car sales during the first quarter of this year. During that period, there were 14,832 electric cars sold in the biggest economy in the world, while this amount was 14,799 in the first quarter of last year.
In China, electric car sales rose to 12,555 during the first quarter of 2015, from 486 in the same period a year ago.
Meanwhile, sales of electric cars in the U.K. increased to 8,684 from 764 during the same period.
In Norway, electric car sales rose by 41 percent to reach 8,112, while in the Netherlands this amount increased by 74 percent to reach 5,760 in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the previous quarter.
During the same period, sales of electric cars rose by 98 percent to reach 4,520 in Germany, 101 percent to reach 3,626 in France. However, electric car sales fell by 20 percent to reach 7,750 in the same period.
When developing countries are examined, some of the major factors that have a positive impact on the growth of electric car market are seen as government policies and incentives. With the improvements in battery technologies, tougher emission standards and increasing infrastructure of charging facilities, electric cars are expected to be used more widely in future.
In Turkey, the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology is leading research and development of electric cars and improvements in use of such technologies. The country is expected to produce its first domestically produced Turkish-brand car by 2020.
Reporting by Mehtap Yilmaz, Goksel Yildirim
Writing by Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
ovunc.kutlu@aa.com.tr