Tuesday 27 July 2021

‘Mass adoption of EVs will not happen by 2030’

Mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will not happen in time for the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.

That is according to a new report by GoCompare, that claims the current rate of EV uptake will increase throughout the coming decade but suggests the battery technology needed for mass adoption will not be affordable enough for EVs to become the majority.

It has been forecasted that EVs will need a range of 238 miles per charge for mass uptake - although the report reveals that cheaper EVs are set to exceed this with a predicted range of 300 miles within 10 years, it highlights the cost of EVs that offer this sort of range will not be affordable enough for mainstream UK adoption before 2030.

The report also stresses that a lack of rapid chargers will prove to be a problem. There is currently a ratio of one public rapid charger for 205 EVs and even with government investment, this number is forecast to only improve slightly by 2030, with 197 EVs per rapid charger.

Ryan Fulthorpe, Motoring Expert at GoCompare, commented: “Our research highlights that some areas may not have the number of chargers needed to support the amount of EVs there, which could be problematic for those looking to complete long-distance journeys.

"Without more investment, the mainstream adoption of EVs in the UK will have significant challenges ahead.

“In the meantime, there are alternative options for motorists looking to make the switch to a low-emission vehicle. If you’re unsure about buying an EV, hybrid vehicles are a great way of bridging the gap, as they aren’t reliant on electricity alone.”