Global electric vehicle sales are set to rise by more than a fifth to reach 17 million this year, powered by drivers in China, according to the International Energy Agency.

Energy watchdog’s forecast runs counter to sentiment among many carmakers struggling to sell battery-run vehicles

International Energy Agency says 17m vehicles will be sold this year, up more than 20% compared with 2023

Canada is on the verge of an agreement with Honda Motor Co. that would see the Japanese firm build electric vehicles and their components in the province of Ontario, according to people familiar with the matter.

Honda Motor is nearing a deal to assemble EVs and components in Canada, with the government agreeing to partly offset the Japanese auto maker’s capital costs through recently unveiled tax breaks.