Electric car choice in UK quadruples in five years

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SMMT Test Day Vehicle Lineup

Selection of new products electric car The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says the number of cars available for purchase in the UK has quadrupled in five years.

There are currently around 80 electric models on sale in the UK, up from 21 in 2018. This means that almost a quarter of all new models are now equipped with an electric variant.

The auto trade body said car buyers were increasingly reacting to the change. More than 750,000 Britons have already made the switch, with new EV registrations increasing by more than a quarter by 2023.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of SMMT, said: “Drivers in the UK are benefiting from the substantial investment that manufacturers have made over the years to provide electric vehicle options to suit every need.”

range anxiety SMMT believes that this too should be a thing of the past. Its data shows that a new electric car can travel an average of 236 miles on a single charge — and for new cars due in 2023, that’s closer to 300 miles. That’s roughly three times the distance driven by an average UK driver in a week.

SMMT data also showed 94 Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV) model and 42 hybrid electric (HEV) models are on sale. That means EVs account for almost two-thirds of new cars sold.

Support for electric vehicles

Renault Megane E-Tech Electric

While the auto industry does its part, now is the time for government and legislation to step up. “We need a framework now to ensure everyone can benefit from zero-emission mobility,” Mike Hawes said.

SMMT renews call for improvement Charging infrastructure in the UK. While the UK government has committed more than £2 billion to increasing the supply of public charging points, binding targets for charging point rollouts could help accelerate infrastructure growth.

Such targets would also complement the new electric vehicle sales targets set by the zero-emission vehicles directive.

SMMT is also seeking a “fair and forward-looking” VED (road tax) system, which is a support company car driver, and increased incentives for private car buyers. Reducing VAT paid at public charging points to the same level as charging at home would also make things fair for all, it said.

“These vehicles already provide an excellent driving experience, but no matter where they live or work, motorists deserve lower total operating costs, and fair taxes can be an incentive, not a hindrance,” Hawes continued.

“With infrastructure supply accelerating ahead of demand, the UK can have a healthy, vibrant market and offer greater modal choice to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in net-zero transport.”

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UK electric car choice quadruples in five years

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