The electric car revolution, and what has stalled until now

In the coming years, it is expected that electric automobiles will start to replace petrol and diesel. There is already evidence of this with the latest new car sales statistics, which show a 36.9% rise in the sale of electric and hybrids in October, whilst the sale of diesel fell by a third.

Why people are switching

One of the key reasons for this shift is the Government’s clean air plans, which include a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel by 2040. Many motorists are making the switch sooner rather than later and it is easy to see why when you look at the benefits of switching. These include a Government of up to £4,00 when you buy one, free road tax and low running costs.

Another major reason for motorists beginning to make the switch way ahead of the 2040 ban is the fact that there are so many excellent electric vehicles available right now. The technology is rapidly developing and all of the major manufacturers are focusing on EVs, meaning that competition is fierce and there is a type to suit every motorist. This will only continue in the coming years and we will begin to see more electric cars enter the used car market too.

Why people are hesitant

According to a survey carried out by energy provider OVO, the number one reason that people are hesitant to make the switch is the supposed lack of charging points. On average, Brits believed there to be just under 3,000 charging points, but in reality, it is just under 14,000 with this number growing each month. In fact, it is said that electric charging points will outnumber petrol stations by 2020.

The fact that the vehicles are expensive was the second major reason, but in the long run, they will save motorists money because of the low running costs and they could become more affordable in the near future. The third reason given was that there was a concern about battery life, but again, the perception was off. The nation, on average, believed that a fully charged vehicle would last 91 miles, but this is actually the minimum amount with the maximum being 335 miles. Additionally, the fact that there are more charging points than anticipated makes this even less of an issue.

Many motorists have already made the switch to electric vehicles and it is easy to see why. With those currently hesitating, it is easy to see them being converted in the near future when more information is available and improvements are being made.

** This is a collaborative post