SMMT unveils growing EV range

New research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has unveiled the scale of investment by car manufactures in electric vehicles, and the benefits to date for consumers.

It has found that since 2011, EV buyers can benefit from a 15-fold increase in choice of model, as well as, on average, more than three times the battery range compared with a decade ago.

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 2022.

However, while electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes have become more visible across the UK – alongside the gradually increasing presence of chargepoints at fuel stations and roadside in cities and on motorways – infrastructure has failed to keep up with demand, and could stifle greater uptake, with 75% of motorists saying there are not enough public chargepoints to meet their needs.

Further investment in chargepoint infrastructure, therefore, is essential so that all consumers in all regions of the UK can be confident they will be able to charge their electric vehicle whenever and wherever they want. The government’s new EV infrastructure strategy launched last month was a positive step towards addressing consumers’ needs, but there must be binding targets for chargepoint delivery that match the latest ambitious mandates on electric vehicle production to deliver this fundamental infrastructure ahead of need.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The ever-increasing number of electric vehicle models launched by manufacturers since 2011 shows just how far Britain has come, with industry investment stimulating innovation at an ever-faster rate. With almost 200 electrified models expected to be available by the end of the year, manufacturers are turning ambitions for zero and ultra-low emission mobility into a reality, while motorists’ demand for these vehicles increases month by month.

“To turn this nascent demand into a mass market, however, 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.”end of the year, manufacturers are turning ambitions for zero and ultra-low emission mobility into a reality, while motorists’ demand for these vehicles increases month by month.

“To turn this nascent demand into a mass market, however, 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.”