The average range of an electric car has gone up dramatically from 74 miles to 260 within a decade.
The figures come from industry body SMMT, which says the huge change is part of car makers’ massive commitment to zero-emission motoring, from hatchbacks to supercars, as more than 40% of models on the market now come with a plug.
There has also been an astonishing proliferation of model choice since the original EV pioneer, the Nissan Leaf, hit the road.
At the time of the launch of Britain’s first mass-produced battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, in 2011, just nine plug-in car models were available in the UK – making up less than one in 1,000 total registrations. 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 as car makers look to decarbonise their model ranges.
However, the SMMT warned that charging infrastructure needed to keep up with the escalating demand for new electric cars.
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.
Mike Hawes – SMMT Chief Executive
