China leads the world in electric vehicle readiness, while the U.S. ranks 25th among 31 countries assessed in the GEMRIX 2026 study, highlighting a widening gap between the two major automotive markets.
GEMRIX 2026 Measures EV Readiness
The shift toward electric vehicles has taken different paths around the world. Automakers have adopted varying powertrain strategies, while governments have pursued different policies for EV adoption.
The GEMRIX 2026 study provides a broad comparison of EV readiness across 31 countries. It evaluates 46 data points across five areas: macro factors, EV market conditions, customer readiness, charging infrastructure, and total cost of ownership and regulation.
The factors are combined into an overall score, with 100 representing broad parity between electric vehicles and combustion vehicles.
China Outpaces the U.S. Across Four Key Areas
The U.S. scored higher than China only in the macro factors category, earning nine points compared with China’s five. The category reflects underlying conditions for EV adoption, including economic prosperity and renewable energy availability.
China led the U.S. in the other four categories. In the EV market dimension, China scored 21 points compared with eight for the U.S. This category measures market scale and growth potential as well as electrification maturity.
China sold 34.4 million new vehicles in 2025, with 51% classified as plug-in electrified. All-electric vehicles accounted for 27% of sales, led by the Geely Galaxy Xingyuan, while plug-in hybrids represented 24%.
The U.S. profile uses 2024 data. The country recorded 16.2 million vehicle sales, with EV adoption at 9.3%, including 7.5% BEVs and around 2% PHEVs. The Tesla Model Y led BEV sales in the U.S.
China Has a Major Charging Infrastructure Advantage
Customer readiness represents another major difference between the two markets. China scored 23 points, compared with seven for the U.S., reflecting customers’ willingness and preparedness to switch to EVs.
China also recorded the largest gap with the U.S. in public charging infrastructure. China scored 33 points compared with seven for the U.S., a difference of 26 points.
China’s country profile lists 20.7 million charging points, with 55% being DC and 45% AC. The U.S. has roughly 300,000 charging points, with nearly 47% concentrated in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.
EV Policies and Ownership Costs Add to the Gap
China also led the U.S. in the policy and economics category, scoring 24 points compared with 17. The dimension evaluates government support and the cost of owning an EV.
China continues to offer EV tax incentives and trade-in subsidies. In the U.S., federal EV tax credits of up to $7,500 for new vehicles ended in September 2025, reducing federal purchase support.
The Trump administration has also rolled back federal rules that had pushed automakers toward greater electrification.
Overall, China scored 106 points in GEMRIX 2026, up eight points from its 98-point score in GEMRIX 2023. The U.S. fell from 55 points to 47 points.
China and U.S. Fall Into Different EV Categories
The contrasting scores place China and the U.S. in separate GEMRIX categories. China is part of the top Global Benchmark category alongside Norway, which scored 103 points, Singapore at 96 points, and the Netherlands at 90 points.
The next category, Ambitious Followers, includes Canada at 65 points and European countries including France at 88 points, Germany at 87 points, and the U.K. at 87 points.
The U.S. is classified in the Emerging EV Markets category, tied with New Zealand and Brazil at 47 points. The Starter Markets category includes Mexico at 40 points, KSA at 36 points, and South Africa at 26 points.
Chinese EVs Still Face U.S. Market Barriers
Despite China’s leading position in EV readiness, Chinese electric vehicles continue to face major barriers to entering the U.S. market.
Trump has said he would be open to Chinese automakers building cars in the U.S. if they hire American workers. However, existing restrictions on Chinese-linked connected vehicles remain a major obstacle.
Polestar, which is majority-owned by China’s Geely, will be unable to sell new vehicles in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year.
