Electric vehicles could account for 15% of all new car sales in the world’s biggest cities. That’s what McKinsey and Co. is projecting in their new study. McKinsey’s research focuses on the advantages of EVs in urban settings, especially as complementary cars–second vehicles used for specific driving missions.

The paper adds that, while many consumers will prefer extended range electric vehicles like the Volt, smaller neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV) may thrive as well. The logic behind this is that many early adopters will purchase EVs as second cars and use them for the specific purpose of commuting within these urban areas. Smaller cars will likely carry smaller batteries, meaning greater maneuverability in dense areas and a cheaper price tag.

The McKinsey study is an interesting look at the relationship electric vehicles will have with the urban environment. In many ways it reinforces PGR’s findings, but it also focuses primarily on the world’s largest cities-New York, Paris and Shanghai.

Project Get Ready, however, is finding opportunities for the EV in less dense cities, as well. Electric vehicles, we’ve found, could play an important role in cities that lack strong public transportation systems and whose working population largely resides outside the city.

Check out more information on the McKinsey and Co. study here and here.

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