Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis on the global powertrain industry finds that EVs are gaining in popularity against the dominant internal combustion engines (ICE) segment. As governments push for a carbon-neutral economy, lowering emissions will be key, with powertrain electrification playing a vital role. Light vehicle sales worldwide are estimated to reach 80.2 million units in 2021 from 74.6 million units in 2020, growing at 7.5%. Mild hybridization will continue to be the fastest-growing trend in the short to medium term, ahead of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

The global push toward a carbon-neutral economy is leading to ever-stringent regulations, which are impacting regions, with some already committing to the ICE ban while others are still working toward specific commitments. The introduction of the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) across key global markets will also help standardize fuel economy calculations and emissions.

Key regional insights from Frost & Sullivan’s report include:

• North America: With the new government supporting stricter emissions norms and reinstating California’s capacity to set its own emission standards, downsizing and boosting technologies will find increased adoption, along with 48V mHEVs, to improve emissions and fuel economy.
• Europe: Diesel vehicle sales will continue to decline, while mild hybrids will witness high growth rates. Extended lockdowns across Europe in 2021 and slower economic growth will slow European automotive sales recovery in 2021, with the 16 million unit sales of 2019 getting breached only in 2022.
• ASEAN: Continuing its position as a manufacturing hub, ASEAN is focusing on emission cuts through blended fuels, with vehicle electrification playing a supporting role in mild hybridization in the form of 12V systems.
• China: While EVs will continue to grow, government support for hybrid vehicles will result in increased adoption of vehicle hybridization by the OEMs in 2021, with the share of conventional ICE vehicles continuing to shrink.
• India: Demand for diesel powertrains in India will increase with expected launches from India’s key OEM Maruti Suzuki, while the more stringent CAFÉ regulations in 2022 will increase powertrain electrification.