One in five car sales in the UK are now battery electric vehicles Car News

One in five cars sold in the UK are battery electric vehicles, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The increase in the number of electric vehicle owners is partly due to the number of models currently on sale, the total having increased 15 times over the past 11 years.

According to the SMMT, the number of mass-produced electric vehicles on sale in the UK now stands at 140, with a further 50 expected to launch throughout 2022. That figure is up from nine in 2011.

“The ever-increasing number of electric vehicle models launched by manufacturers since 2011 shows how far Britain has come, with investment from industry driving innovation at an ever-faster pace,” said the chief executive. from SMMT. Mike Hawes.

“With nearly 200 electrified models expected to be available by the end of the year, automakers are delivering on their zero and ultra-low-emission mobility ambitions, while motorist demand for these vehicles increases month on month. “

Despite the growing number of electric vehicles on sale, however, SMMT’s suggested adoption still fails to meet demand due to shortages of parts, semiconductors, truck drivers and shipping containers. .

Speaking at SMMT Test Day 2022, Hawes said range anxiety had now been replaced by load anxiety, suggesting 75% of motorists believe there is no not enough public chargers to meet their personal needs.

Hawes said further investment in charging infrastructure is needed to ensure all parts of the UK can charge with confidence.

The government’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy has been seen as a “positive step” to “meet consumer needs”.

“To turn this burgeoning demand into a mass market, motorists need choice, affordability and the confidence to charge. The UK has an ambitious timetable to achieve net zero, and road transport must shoulder the greatest burden to achieve this goal,” said Hawes.

“The industry is up to the challenge, but we need all stakeholders, including government, charging station providers and energy companies, to deliver on the manufacturers’ commitment by providing the incentives and competitive infrastructure that guarantees an emissions-free future.”