One of Britain’s biggest car dealers warns demand for EVs is ‘cooling’

One of Britain’s largest car dealers has warned that demand for electric vehicles is ‘cooling’ as the lack of charging points is holding back growth.

Vertu Motors denounced the “inadequate public charging infrastructure” as contributing to the slowing momentum around electric vehicles.

The Tyneside group, which has more than 180 dealerships in Britain, said that although electric and hybrid vehicle registrations grew by more than 20 per cent last year, the UK needed to step up its game towards electrification.

“Demand for electric vehicles from consumers has declined over the past six months,” Vertu said, adding, “The cost of electricity, rising operating costs and inadequate public charging infrastructure have all had an impact.”

There are around 40,000 charging points in the UK – well short of the target of 300,000 by 2030.

And with just 800 new charging points being delivered each month, the UK is on track to be nearly 200,000 short.

Vertu’s concerns come days after a leading trade organization said demand for electric cars was hampered by “charge station fears,” while drivers worry about the cost and convenience of green driving.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) expects EVs with plug-in batteries to account for 18.4 percent of new sales this year and 22.6 percent next year, while previous forecasts of 19.7 percent and were 23.3 percent lower.

“Broadening economic conditions and concerns about charge points are starting to cast a cloud,” said SMMT chief Mike Hawes.

‘We need everyone – government, municipalities, energy companies and charging providers – to invest more quickly in the transition and to strengthen consumer confidence.’

Experts are also questioning the geographic spread of EV chargers, with nearly a third in London.