Electric vehicles (EVs) have certainly grown in popularity over the last decade or so, but more drivers could be tempted to swap their petrol or diesel car for a greener option if the price of EVs falls.
There could be a high demand for electric vehicle charging courses over the next year, as manufacturers are beginning to address the biggest obstacle for the EV market, which is cost.
Consequently, some of the biggest car dealers are releasing cheaper models, which will appeal to a broader market, raising sales figures.
EVs available for less than £8k
The most affordable EV available at the moment is the Citroen Ami, which starts at £7,695.
This is ideal for drivers who only need their car in the city, as it has a speed limit of 28 mph.
Therefore, it is intended for short distances, as its range is limited to 47 miles. It also lacks airbags and antilock brakes, and it feels more like a quad bike than a car.
However, it is a good option for those who want to do their bit for the environment and just need a vehicle to potter around town with.
When it comes to a more robust EV, the Dacia Spring is available for £14,995. This car has a 45 bhp motor, 26.8kWh battery, and can go from zero to 62 mph in 14 seconds. Its range is 137 miles, so drivers can cover a more reasonable distance.
However, they will need to recharge their vehicle every couple of hours or so.
For a more advanced EV, the BYD Dolphin can be bought for £25,490. This hatchback has a range of 211 miles, though the higher model can cover 265 miles.
Rise in new EV registrations
While EVs are still more expensive than petrol or diesel cars, there has been a rise in the number of new car registrations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), battery electrical vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), new HEV registrations rose by 19.6 per cent from March 2023 to March 2024, vehicle BEV registrations increased by 3.8 per cent and PHEVs soared by 36.7 per cent.
At the same time, the number of new diesel cars that were registered dropped by 2.7 per cent over the year.
SMMT also reported that EVs now account for a large share of the market, with HEVs, BEVs, and PHEVs taking up 14 per cent, 15.2 per cent and 7.7 per cent of the sector respectively.
Petrol vehicles still hold more than half of the market share (55.7 per cent), but only 7.3 per cent are taken up by diesel cars.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes noted that while manufacturers continue to provide “compelling offers” of EVs, more needs to be done to drive sales of EVs and reduce the impact of climate change.
“Government support for private consumers – not just businesses and fleets – would send a positive message and deliver a faster, fairer transition on time and on target,” he stated.
Though private sales might not be as high as SMMT had expected to see, strong sales of business EVs means it is essential there are enough e-charging points around the country, particularly on motorways.
Businessmen and women often have to travel frequently between cities to see different clients and companies, so need to have easy access to charging zones to make sure their EV does not run out of fuel.