ZURICH—Automakers around the world worldwide are showing growing confidence in their ability to build electric vehicles efficiently and at scale. According to the latest automotive manufacturing outlook survey by ABB Robotics, EV production is becoming “a more established and predictable manufacturing discipline.”
The global survey shows that automakers expect EV output to rise in 2026 compared with 2025, signaling continued commitment to electrification at the manufacturing level despite uneven consumer demand in some markets.
“This year’s survey presents a more positive picture of EV manufacturing than we have seen in previous years,” says Joerg Reger, managing director of the automotive business line at ABB Robotics. “Key indicators such as manufacturing time, cost and integration show that EV production is increasingly becoming a known quantity.
“This is supported by sustained investment in automation…capable of creating a leap in productivity and flexibility by combining key skills to autonomously plan and independently perform diverse, complex tasks in real time,” explains Reger.
Confidence has also improved around the practical delivery of EV programs. More than one-half (51 percent) of respondents claims that EVs and their key components are now easier to manufacture than a year ago, compared with just 8 percent who believe they have become harder to build. “This suggests that EV assembly processes are becoming faster, more stable and less disruptive as experience grows, supported by developments in automation,” says Reger.
More than one-third (41 percent) report that EV manufacturing costs have decreased over the past 12 months, while a further 39 percent claim that costs have remained stable.
While EV production is expected to continue increasing, automakers predict even stronger growth in hybrid power train production over the same period. “This indicates that many producers view hybrid technologies as an important stepping stone, enabling them to balance electrification ambitions with real-world customer demand and operational flexibility,” notes Reger.
“Manufacturers are no longer asking whether they can build EVs—they are focused on how to build them efficiently, profitably and alongside other powertrains,” says Reger. “Investment in robotics, automation and flexible manufacturing is a key driver behind this growing confidence, helping producers scale EV output while remaining responsive to changing market conditions.”
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