A new report launched by C40 Cities and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation says governments in emerging economies should accelerate the implementation of EV charging infrastructure and take advantage of US$3.8 billion (AU$5.7 billion) investment opportunity for such infrastructure over the next decade.
The Market Analysis of Electric Vehicle (EV) Public Charging Infrastructure in Cities report maps out infrastructure pathways for four rapidly growing EV markets: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and India.
According to the data, EV sales across these four nations skyrocketed from 40,000 vehicles in 2021 to 1.08 million in 2025, an astonishing annual growth rate of nearly 130 per cent. This rapid adoption has created unprecedented demand for reliable power networks.
By 2035, the report projects the total number of public chargers across the four nations will surge to 359,000 units, up from current levels. India is expected to require the largest slice of investment at US$1.9 billion for 214,000 chargers, followed by Brazil at US$980 million, Mexico at US$760 million and Colombia at US$184 million.
Despite the booming sales, the report warns that infrastructure deployment remains heavily concentrated in major metropolitan hubs, threatening to stall wider EV adoption due to regional access disparities and investment risks.
To combat this, the report outlines how city leaders can use local governance to bypass national regulatory bottlenecks. Key recommendations include utilising public land for charging stations, leveraging the electrification of public bus and municipal fleets to anchor private investment, and cutting red tape.
C40 Cities Executive Director Mark Watts said: “Cities are already leading the transition to electric mobility by turning ambition into practical action, from electrifying public transport fleets to unlocking space, partnerships, and planning frameworks for charging infrastructure deployment.
“But if we are serious about scaling clean transport globally, particularly across emerging economies, we must also scale investment.
“Expanding access to finance for EV charging infrastructure will be essential to ensure cities can move faster and attract private capital.”
The analysis also highlights that even mature markets continue to face challenges related to grid capacity, heavy-duty charging, and equitable geographic coverage, reinforcing the importance of long-term policy coordination.
Sarah Dimson-Tararuj, Head of Strategic Projects and Programs at The Climate Pledge, said: ****“Scaling electric mobility requires more than vehicle adoption alone; it depends on building the charging infrastructure ecosystem that makes the transition practical, reliable, and accessible for communities and businesses alike.”
