UK Urged to Act as Electric Vehicle Sales Slow
Worried carmakers have sounded the alarm, urging immediate action from the UK government to rejuvenate interest in electric vehicles (EVs) as sales figures reveal a concerning downturn in demand among private buyers. Despite an overall growth in UK registrations, the surge is primarily driven by fleet sales, with private purchases of EVs dropping significantly.
Slowing Growth in the EV Market:
Manufacturers are particularly concerned about the sluggish growth in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which have seen only a marginal increase in market share compared to the previous year. This trend is a stark deviation from the rapid adoption witnessed in earlier years, prompting calls for urgent measures to reinvigorate consumer interest.
Industry's Plea for Incentives:
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is leading the charge, advocating for a range of incentives to incentivize both fleet and private buyers towards EVs. Key proposals include tax cuts, better buying incentives, and the expansion of electric charging infrastructure across the nation.
Need for Government Intervention:
The SMMT emphasizes the crucial role of government support, highlighting the impact of incentives on accelerating EV uptake, particularly in the fleet market. Suggestions for government action include a halving of VAT on new battery-powered cars and revising tax thresholds to treat EVs as mainstream rather than luxury vehicles.
Infrastructure Challenges:
While there has been progress in installing electric charging points, the UK still lags behind in providing adequate infrastructure to bolster consumer confidence. With one standard charger for every 35 plug-in cars, concerns persist about range anxiety and accessibility, hindering widespread EV adoption.
Industry Voices Concern:
Industry leaders echo the SMMT's concerns, emphasizing the need for further price adjustments to bridge the affordability gap between EVs and traditional petrol and diesel models. The discontinuation of grant schemes for private EV buyers compounds the challenges, necessitating government intervention to address inadequate infrastructure and allay consumer apprehensions.
