Each year, more and more electric vehicles (EVs) are seen on the road as manufacturers roll out more affordable models with futureproof features. Dedicated electric car parking spots and charging stations are also becoming an increasingly common sight, which raises the question around when EVs might overtake other types of cars owned in the UK.
Here is a quick rundown of what’s motivating vehicle owners to buy electric vehicles and predictions of when this trend might peak.
Climate policies shaping automotive tech
The link between vehicles which run on fossil fuels and climate change has been well-established for years. Governments across the world have looked ahead and planned bans on new fossil fuel vehicles being sold in future, with the UK bringing their ban forward to 2030 in an effort to push the rollout of EV tech.
This date signals the start of a bigger shift on the road. All new vehicles will need to be electric, adding to the rate of them outpacing other fuel types on the road. Drivers who already own petrol or diesel vehicles won’t have to give them up, though, meaning they may hold on to them for longer. The used car market will still be dominated by fossil-fuelled cars for decades to come, but the change will inevitably happen.
The rise of electric cars in the UK
Tesla has typically been seen as somewhat of a pioneer for EVs in terms of prestige, bringing together desirable, luxury vehicles and integrated practical tech.
The number of UK drivers opting to pick up a Tesla as a form of investing in the future of EVs has grown, but so has the rate of people buying hybrid alternatives. Hybrid vehicles give drivers a way to utilise EV tech and lower their emissions while still having a regular engine to rely on when necessary.
You can also find plenty of used hybrid vehicles which capture the same prestige as Tesla, if not exceeding it. Because of the combination of benefits from having a hybrid engine, these vehicles can also hold their value quite well.
Obstacles for buyers
Although electric cars have come a long way since they were first released onto the commercial market, there are still some stumbling blocks which have prevented buyers from purchasing them.
Cost has typically been the biggest issue as both brand new and used EVs are usually the more expensive options. As rules tighten around fossil fuel vehicles, EVs should hold their value as they become a necessity. However, as tech is constantly evolving and improving at a rapid rate, some models can depreciate quicker than others as well.
Infrastructure also presents another problem as charging points are still hard to come by on longer journeys. The fear of running out of battery on long-distance journeys due to the lack of electric car chargers is an understandable one, and some buyers may be hesitant until they’re confident this problem is resolved.
The electric car revolution is definitely on its way, as it represents a large-scale method of lowering emissions generated on the road. But until the infrastructure is in place and public opinion comes to view EVs as viable, there will be a reluctance on uptake and potentially a greater focus on hybrid vehicles in the interim.
