RIYADH: The sale of electric cars is expected to increase by 35 percent in 2023 to hit 14 million, up from the 10 million sold in 2022, as the world continues its drive toward a sustainable future, according to a report released by the International Energy Association.   

In its Global EV Outlook 2023 report, the IEA noted the share of electric cars in the overall car market has risen from around 4 percent in 2020 to 14 percent in 2022 and is set to increase to 18 percent this year.   

The IEA further noted this rapid electrification of transport vehicles will eliminate the need for five million barrels of oil per day by the end of the decade.  

“Electric vehicles are one of the driving forces in the new global energy economy that is rapidly emerging — and they are bringing about a historic transformation of the car manufacturing industry worldwide,” said the IEA’s Executive Director Fatih Birol.   

He added: “Cars are just the first wave: electric buses and trucks will follow soon.”  

According to the IEA, the majority of electric car sales to date are mainly concentrated in three markets: China, Europe and the US.  

The IEA further noted that China accounted for 60 percent of global electric car sales in 2022.  

Europe and the US, the second and third largest markets, also saw strong growth with sales increasing by 15 percent and 55 percent respectively in 2022.  

Apart from the US, Europe and China, electric car sales in countries like India and Indonesia tripled in 2022, while sales figures doubled in Thailand.   

The IEA added that in emerging and developing economies, two- or three-wheeler vehicles outnumber cars. The report pointed out that over half of India’s three-wheeler registrations in 2022 were electric.   

“In many developing economies, two- or three-wheelers offer an affordable way to get access to mobility, meaning their electrification is important to support sustainable development,” the report added. 

DUBAI: On Sunday, Louvre Abu Dhabi  has released a 20-minute cinematic podcast, “We Are Not Alone,” that reinterprets the museum's architecture through a futuristic story narrated by seven international celebrities.

Available in six different languages, the new podcast is narrated in the voices of Emirati singer Hussain Al-Jassmi in Arabic, American actor Willem Dafoe in English, French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg in French and English, Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu in Mandarin, Russian DJ and singer Nina Kraviz in Russian and filmmaker and playwright Wim Wenders in German.

“Louvre Abu Dhabi tells the story of art history throughout the ages,” said Manuel Rabate, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi in a statement. “As we always look for new ways to experiment and innovate, we continue to explore new narratives inspired by our architecture and collection. ‘We Are Not Alone’ is yet another example of our innovative approach to sharing stories of cultural connections,” he added.

The new podcast is composed and produced by Soundwalk Collective, an experimental group of artists and musicians. It is a part of the UAE museum’s extensive digital offering, which includes free access to content through virtual tours, video, audio and downloadable activities.