The accumulated global sales of electric cars surpassed 1 million units for the first time last year, proving the eco-cars can take root as a segment of the global auto market, according to an annual research report released by the International Energy Agency, a leading global energy think tank, on June 6.

IEA’s global EV outlook for 2016 showed the accumulated sales of electric cars across the world reached 1.26 million units last year. 

“This is a symbolic achievement highlighting significant efforts deployed jointly by government and industry for the past decade. … In 2005, only hundreds of EVs were on the road,” the report said.

In particular, EV sales built a growth momentum last year. New registrations of EVs including both battery EVs and plug-in hybrids increased by 70 percent between 2014 and 2015, with over 550,000 vehicles being sold last year, the IEA report said.

Sales of EVs have soared last year with help of the proactive policy support in several European countries and China.

The IEA report showed the market share of EV rose above 1 percent in seven countries in 2015 over 2014, including Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, China and the U.K.

When it comes to the EV market share in the entire auto market, Norway came top with a 23 percent market share last year, followed by the Netherlands with a 10 percent EV market share.

China showed significant growth in EV sales last year, standing ahead of the U.S. in EV sales for the first time, the IEA report said. China is also home to the strongest global deployment of e-scooters and electric buses.

“Industry, governments and early adopters have succeeded in demonstrating that EVs can deliver the practicality, sustainability and safety and affordability features,” the IEA report said, adding that for further expansion, the EV market still requires policy support to achieve widespread adoption and deployment.

By Seo Jee-yeon (jyseo@heraldcorp.coom)