Despite the UK's looming deadline to phase out combustion engine sales by 2035, the production of electric vehicles (EVs) has fallen significantly. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), electric car production dropped by over 25% last month, highlighting concerns for the automotive industry’s readiness to meet future demand.
Challenges Facing EV Adoption
While the demand for EVs is set to rise due to the upcoming ban on petrol and diesel vehicles, industry experts believe more needs to be done to encourage consumers to make the switch. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), one of the UK’s largest manufacturers, emphasised the need for greater investment in EV infrastructure to boost consumer confidence.
Trevor Leeks, operations director of JLR’s Halewood plant in Merseyside, pointed out that expanding the UK’s charging infrastructure, particularly on motorways and the introduction of more fast-charging points, is essential. To address this issue, JLR recently announced a £500 million investment in electric car production at its Halewood site.
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Incentives and Infrastructure Improvements Needed
Leeks also suggested that incentives, such as vehicle exchange schemes, could encourage consumers to trade in older petrol or diesel models for electric vehicles. This, combined with improving access to public charging stations, could make owning an EV more appealing.
As of July, the Department for Transport reported that there were 64,632 public charging points across the UK. However, a significant portion of EV owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the existing network, with only 37% of these chargers being located on streets. The UK government has set a goal to install 300,000 public EV chargers by 2030, but current numbers show the nation still has a long way to go.
Meeting EV Targets
To meet the 2035 deadline, the government has set interim targets for EV sales. In 2024, 22% of all car sales must be electric, with this figure rising to 28% by 2025 and 80% by 2030. However, despite these targets, the higher upfront cost of EVs compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles is proving to be a barrier for many potential buyers.
Industry groups like the SMMT have called on the government to introduce tax cuts on electric vehicles in order to stimulate sales and help the UK meet its ambitious targets. JLR is also making strides in this direction, with plans to offer electric-only versions of all its brands by 2030.
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