The global population of plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) is expected to reach 8.5 million by the end of 2019, according to EV Volumes, with an addition of 3.1 million passenger and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) this year, an increase of 57%. This is a slower pace of growth than the 64% seen in 2017, reflecting an overall weaker Chinese car market, where sales of passenger cars have declined for 10 months in a row, although PHEVs continue to outperform. PHEVs made up 4.3% of all new passenger car and LCV sales in China last year and the China…