The rallying call for the British public to switch to electric cars is getting louder, driven by environmental concerns and the need for energy sustainability.
Newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated plans to reinstate the previous target of phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, with hopes of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The widespread adoption of electric vehicles seems essential to this strategy, given their potential to bring down greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, there are around 1.1 million electric vehicles on British roads. That might seem like a lot, but it’s a fraction – just 2.7 per cent – of the 41.2 million licensed vehicles reported on UK roads at the end of 2023.
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There are more than 1.1 million electric vehicles on the road today
PA
As a whole, transportation is a major player in the UK’s overall carbon emissions, accounting for around a third of the total.
We’re still pouring a lot of harmful emissions into the atmosphere as a result of our daily commutes.
It’s not all bad news. Earlier this year, Carbon Brief reported that the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5.7 per cent in 2023, reaching their lowest since 1879.
That said, we still fall within the top 20 for “highest overall carbon emissions”, meaning there’s work to be done.
The widespread adoption of electric vehicles is likely to play a large role in efforts.
Despite higher emissions at production, EVs lack any form of tailpipe emissions – meaning they’re better for the environment in the long run, with fewer “lifetime” emissions than traditional cars, even considering the electricity used for charging.
Sustainability is another important factor, and the UK has ramped up renewable energy capacity.
Last year, wind power alone contributed a third of the UK’s total electricity generation. EVs can work with these sources through vehicle-to-grid technology, allowing them to send electricity back to the grid.
What’s more, a shift to electric cars reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, which many believe will be depleted by 2060 – in less than 40 year’s time.
Given the issues looming on the horizon, the solution seems clear; we should all switch to an electric vehicle.
If only it were that simple. As with any new technology, there are various hurdles in bringing EVs into the mainstream, with one such example being infrastructure.
Although the number of public charging locations is increasing, the current total – around 33,000 – may not be enough to meet the rising demand for EVs, or to quell the “range anxiety” – fear of running out of power before finding a charging station – of potential buyers.
There’s also the matter of money. The upfront costs of electric cars can be off-putting when compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
The total cost of EV ownership usually ends up being lower over time, but that doesn’t detract from bloated initial costs or higher insurance premiums – which recent figures put between £480 to £1,600 per annum.
While it’s true that EVs have fewer moving parts – meaning fewer things to break – the parts themselves are, presently, more costly to replace.
If you can afford the switch, an EV seems like a sensible thing to consider when you’re next looking to buy a car, but it’s worth doing ample research before buying.
The expert advised for drivers to do research into an electric car first before buying one
GETTY
The UK needs electric vehicles, and it’s clear the long-term benefits make the transition worthwhile, but new technologies take time to settle, and we still have a way to go before traditional cars can realistically be phased out for everyone.
Mark Trimbee, CEO of Regtransfers
