EV sales set to surge

Pure electric car sales are set to surge in 2019 as the latest registration figures reveal 69.5% growth in the sector, compared with a three per cent decline for the car market overall in the latest month’s registration figures.

The growing gap in fortunes between battery power and internal combustion engines means nearly one in every 100 cars registered in November were pure electric.

Now experts are advising motorists who feel ready to take the plunge into pure electric cars to get in quick as 2019 dawns, because lead times from order to delivery may grow as demand rises.

The independent electric vehicle consumer advice website DrivingElectric.com says EVs are already often taking a little longer to arrive with customers as global demand for the technology grows faster than for conventional vehicles.

Research by the site shows that lead times for electric cars in the UK typically stretch from 10 or 12 weeks.

‘It has been a remarkable year for electric cars,’ said Vicky Parrott, associate editor of DrivingElectric.com, ‘with the segment performing much more strongly than the overall market. During 2018 the total of all new car registrations was nearly seven per cent down by November compared with the same period in 2017. But pure electric cars were up by over 10%. And in November itself, compared to the same month a year ago, the overall market was three per cent smaller while battery electric vehicles were nearly 70% ahead on the same month last year.

‘Plug-in hybrid electric car sales have also risen in 2018 by 26.7%, helped by a combination of interest in electric and the reassurance of the range-extending possibilities of an additional conventional engine.

‘With every sign that electric cars are immune to the doldrums much of the rest of the market has found itself in during 2018 we expect demand to rise even faster next year. Because EVs are seeing a global surge in interest, anyone who has pondered the idea of buying one is advised to stop dithering from this point and get ahead of any future supply bottlenecks caused by their popularity. It’s time to stop pondering and pounce instead.’