Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have revealed that one in every five cars sold in the UK is a battery-electric vehicle.
We’ve come a long way since the launch of Britain’s first mass-produced battery electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, in 2011.
At that point, just nine plug-in car models were available in the UK – Aixam Mega, Citroën C-Zero, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot Ion, Reva G-Wiz, Smart Fortwo Coupe, Tesla Roadster and Toyota Prius – making up less than one in 1,000 total registrations.
Today, there are more than 140 plug-in models available, accounting for around one in five new cars sold this year, with a further 50 models expected to be launched by the end of this year and a further 150 new and updated plug-ins due to be delivered to the UK market by 2025.
This increased range is a direct result of the automotive industry’s ingenuity and investment, and the trend looks set to continue, with all of Britain’s leading car manufacturers and importers committed to decarbonising their model line-ups.
The number of electric vehicle models now on sale – which has increased 15-fold over the last 11 years – is partly the reason behind the rising uptake in electric vehicle ownership.
While electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes have become more visible across the UK, the SMMT has suggested uptake is still failing to keep up with demand due to shortages of parts, semiconductors, HGV drivers and shipping containers.
And while the gradually increasing presence of charge points at fuel stations and roadside in cities is encouraging, infrastructure is failing to keep up with demand and could stifle even greater uptake.
In fact, 75% of motorists say there are not enough public charge points to meet their needs.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “motorists need choice, affordability and the confidence to charge. The UK has an ambitious timescale to deliver net zero and road transport must shoulder the biggest burden delivering that goal.
“The industry is up for the challenge, but we need all stakeholders, including government, charge point providers and energy companies, to match manufacturers’ commitment by providing the competitive incentives and infrastructure that assures a zero-emission future.”
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