The charge of EVs is increasing at a fairly organic and manageable rate

Be under no false apprehension that electricity is being lined-up currently to replace fossil-fuelled motorcars and light commercials as speedily as possible, comments Iain Robertson, supported by government intentions for a ‘cleaner’ environment.

Flip back through our Road Test reports and you will find two glowing stories about Tesla models. I make no apology for subjecting very few other Electric Vehicles (EVs) to a test procedure, as I have no access to a convenient domestic ‘wall-box’ for recharging purposes and my current experience of monitoring local plug-in chargers is coloured by their virtual blocking-out by PHEV-category vehicle owners…if I wanted to recharge an EV, I would be unable to do so, with any surety.



The halfway-house alternative of a hybrid, or plug-in hybrid, vehicle is still viable for most potential operators of that type. However, as a recent survey highlighted, the vast majority of them have taken advantage of government grants to acquire the vehicles but seldom charge, or recharge, them as they ought to. In addition, the overarching enemy of ‘range anxiety’, despite incredible efforts by carmakers to extend potential mileage with new battery developments, still exists.


Naturally, even for the most confirmed of eco-warriors, there is a pressing and on-going concern about the UK’s capacity to supply electricity to millions of EVs, when the majority of our power stations are still fuelled by coal, oil, or gas. If all that is happening is that petrol/diesel-powered motorcars are being subsumed by EVs that continue to require fossil fuels for their charges, then what is the point?



Although the ‘sales’ of EVs grew by a further 8.3% in November 2018, the reality is that EVs constitute less than 4.5% of the entire UK demand for that class of vehicle, even though the total numbers are over 80% greater than a year ago. Besides, since the government dropped the subsidies applying to hybrids, channelling remaining funds to the EV sector alone, it is able to save money ironically that it does not have available.



It is fortunate that the numbers remain small at the moment, because the charging infrastructure, while growing, is still in its infancy. However, the motor industry is charging ahead with introducing new EVs that not only challenge the superiority of Tesla but also shave thousands of Pounds off the US-built EV range, to make their EVs ever more appealing to a wider market. While the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf continue to trickle into the market, they are being joined increasingly by other carmakers also desiring to stake their claims.


Tesla has led with its clever marketing ploys and engaging, if other-worldly, performance statistics. Apart from the fastest viable recharging potential, a hefty 2.5-tonner, like the P100D Model S, can blitz acceleration figures that embarrass hypercar owners. Yet, Audi’s e-tron developments, which will be shared across the rest of the VW Group model lines as soon as they perceive it necessary, will soon swamp Tesla in a more affordable vein.



Yet, the real motivation is set to come from Hyundai, Kia, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. They will draw prices into the realms of greater affordability, against Tesla’s ‘six-figure’ offerings. The major fuel suppliers are also cottoning-on to a need to serve by installing superchargers around their networks.

FCD Summary

While just an ‘update’ at this stage, rest assured that EVs are coming at a carefully measured rate. We shall continue to gather information and keep you informed.

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