While the share of EVs in the UK remains 12 percent, their effect on the environment is already being felt. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, average new car emissions reduced to 119.7 grams of CO2, representing an 11.2 percent decrease. This is a good sign as emissions from cars had been increasing thanks to the increasing popularity of SUVs.
Despite challenges faced by the EV industry, the head of SMMT, Mike Hawes, expects the situation to get even better. “Once again, it is electrified vehicles that are driving the growth, despite the ongoing headwinds of chip shortages, rising inflation, and the cost-of-living squeeze. 2022 is off to a reasonable start, however, and with around 50 new electrified models due for release this year, customers will have an ever greater choice, which can only be good for our shared environmental ambitions.”
Meanwhile, EV enthusiasts still have to content themselves with only a 1.3 percent share of the more than 40 million cars on the UK roads. Ben Nelmes, who heads policy and research at New Automotive, laments the ongoing harm caused by new ICEs. “Electric car sales have doubled in the last year, but there is still a mountain to climb to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions from cars. The 90,000 internal combustion engines that rolled off forecourts this month will continue to pollute and hit motorists in their pockets for another 14 years, on average.”
Part of the challenges EVs face includes inadequate charging infrastructure. According to data provided by the Government, the UK has 28,400 public charging points. However, SMMT believes about five times more is needed to eliminate range anxiety among potential EV owners.
Renewable Brief 