I’ve had a couple of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs over the past couple of years, but decided to take the plunge into a full electric a last year.
I looked at a few options but decided on a Nissan Ariya, mostly because I was told it was available for delivery within 4 months. All other options I’d looked at were going to be over a year – Skoda Enyaq etc. It turned out that Nissan were sitting on a throne of lies, and the delivery date kept getting pushed out, so I decided to go for an Audi Q4 e-tron. Lovely car with some basic software failings… See this post for more details on that.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been growing in popularity in recent years, with more and more drivers switching to EVs as a way to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on fuel costs. However, the availability of charging infrastructure is a key factor in the widespread adoption of EVs. In this article, we will explore the current state of electric vehicles in the UK, the availability of vehicle charging infrastructure, and the future of EVs in the UK.
The Current State of Electric Vehicles in the UK
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), sales of electric vehicles in the UK rose by 185% in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth has been driven by a number of factors, including the introduction of government incentives such as the Plug-in Car Grant, improvements in battery technology and the availability of a wider range of electric vehicles from different manufacturers.
As of February 2021, there are over 200,000 plug-in electric vehicles registered in the UK, with electric cars accounting for the majority of these vehicles. The most popular electric car in the UK is the Tesla Model 3, followed by the Nissan Leaf and the Kia e-Niro.
The Availability of Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
One of the key challenges facing electric vehicle adoption in the UK is the availability of vehicle charging infrastructure. However, the UK government has taken steps to address this issue by investing in a network of public charging points across the country.
As of February 2021, there are over 25,000 public charging points in the UK, with the majority of these being slow or fast chargers. There are also around 500 rapid chargers, which can charge a vehicle to 80% in around 30 minutes.
The government has set a target of phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, which means that there will be a significant increase in demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure over the coming years. To support this growth, the government has announced a £1.3 billion investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure over the next four years.
The Future of EVs in the UK
The future of EVs in the UK looks bright, with the government and automotive industry both committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. In addition to the target of phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, the government has also announced a ban on the sale of new hybrid cars from 2035.
To support the transition to electric vehicles, the government has introduced a range of incentives and initiatives, including the Plug-in Car Grant, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, and the Workplace Charging Scheme. There are also plans to introduce new measures, such as the Zero Emission Zone in Oxford, which will restrict access to certain areas of the city to zero-emission vehicles.
The automotive industry is also investing heavily in the development of electric vehicles, with many manufacturers planning to launch new electric models in the coming years. In addition, there is a growing market for used electric vehicles, which is helping to make EVs more affordable and accessible for a wider range of consumers.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular choice for UK drivers, with sales growing rapidly in recent years. However, the availability of vehicle charging infrastructure is a key factor in the widespread adoption of EVs. The UK government has taken steps to address this issue, with significant investment in a network of public charging points across the country. With the government and automotive industry both committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, the future of EVs in the UK looks bright.