- Battery electric car choice quadruples over past five years
to support Britain’s world leading zero emission ambition.
- Every class of vehicle now available as an electric option –
from super small urban commuter runarounds to family cars and
luxury saloons.
- Average battery range for new vehicles launching in 2023
reaches almost 300 miles – nearly three times the average weekly
mileage and up from 210 in 2020.
- More than 50 models of zero emission trucks, vans and buses
also available.
Drivers in Britain have seen their choice of battery electric car
models quadruple in the past five years as manufacturers commit
to delivering the UK’s ambition of being the first major car
market to go zero emission.
There are now around 80 ‘electric picks’ available across every
vehicle segment – compared with just 21 in 2018 – ranging from
super-small urban commuter vehicles to multipurpose people
carriers, and everything in between. As result, almost one in
four car models is available as a battery electric vehicle
(BEV).1
The vast variety of options has inspired more than three quarters
of a million drivers to make the switch, with new BEV
registrations up by more than a quarter (25.6%) from this time
last year.2 Manufacturers continue to invest
billions in both bringing new EVs to market and building them in
Britain, with the choice available in showrooms today the outcome
of long-term commitments, and delivered despite the dramatic
global economic challenges of the past three years.
On top of the huge number of available BEV models, drivers
looking to cut their carbon while on the move can also choose
from 94 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and 42 hybrid (HEV) models –
meaning electrified vehicles comprise almost two-thirds of all
models available.
Those going fully electric can also do so with ever greater
confidence. As the technology continues to develop, battery range
has expanded. The average distance an electric car can travel on
a single charge is now 236 miles, while for new models coming to
the market for the first time in 2023, it is almost 300 miles –
around three times the average distance driven per
week.3 Models are also available with ranges in
excess of 450 miles.
Other vehicles are making the switch too, and helping Britain to
decarbonise its transport. There are now 23 models of electric
van, 14 models of zero emission buses powered by electric or
hydrogen, and even 20 models of electric truck now available in
the UK as the nation heads towards 2035, which will see the end
of sale of all non-zero emission vehicles weighing less than 26
tonnes.
To ensure all drivers can benefit from the electric switch, no
matter where they live, the huge choice of vehicles needs to be
matched with a choice of affordable, reliable charging options,
particularly for those unable to access home charging. The UK
government has already committed more than £2 billion towards
increasing public chargepoint provision. However, binding targets
on chargepoint rollout, in line with targets on vehicle sales due
to be set by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, would accelerate
infrastructure growth and inspire more to move to electric.
Equally as important will be to make going electric more
equitable. This can be supported by the implementation of a fair
and forward-thinking Vehicle Excise Duty regime, a fiscal
framework that supports company drivers and other incentives for
private purchasers and, not least, by making it fair for all –
reducing the VAT at public chargepoints so that it is the same as
charging at home.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“Britain’s drivers are benefitting from the massive investment
made by manufacturers over many years to deliver an electric car
choice for every need. We now require a framework that ensures
everyone can benefit from zero emission mobility. These vehicles
already offer an outstanding driving experience but motorists
should have lower total running costs, no matter where they live
or work, with fair taxation that inspires instead of impedes.
With infrastructure provision accelerated ahead of need, the UK
can have a healthy, vibrant market, with ever more model choice
to keep the UK as a world leader in net zero transport.”
Notes to Editors
1 Total models (all powertrains)
available: 327
2 BEV registrations January-April 2023: 96,7055;
January-April 2022: 77,064
3 Department for Transport National Travel
Survey, August 2022: Average annual mileage – 5,300
