There are now more than 100 different EV models on sale in the UK – the only problem is finding drivers who want to buy one

Brits now have a choice of more than 100 different electric car models for the first time, it has been confirmed.

The variety of different battery-powered vehicles in showrooms has grown by more than 500 percent over the past decade, with just 16 electric variants on sale in Britain in 2014.

However, the wider range available to motorists comes at a time when public demand for electric cars appears to have reversed and manufacturers are desperately calling on the government to step in to provide incentives.

Drivers considering switching to an electric car well before the 2035 ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are spoiled for choice.

The British Automotive Trade Association says that almost a third (29.3 percent) of models on the market in 2024 will be electric.

Today, there are a total of 102 different EVs to choose from in each segment, from superminis to SUVs and sports cars, claims the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The average range of all electric vehicles currently on sale is 240 miles; Since the average daily mileage in Britain is currently around 20 miles, motorists can theoretically drive it for 13 days before the battery needle reaches zero

Wind back the clocks to 2014 and the choice of electric vehicles was much more limited. In fact, a decade ago there were few low-emission models (including hybrids), and some all-electric options couldn’t even go 100 miles per charge

This is a huge increase of 538 percent compared to 2014, when drivers had relatively limited choice due to the infancy of the technology.

Turn back the clocks a decade and buyers were limited to a few options if they wanted to go electric. The bestsellers of ten years ago included the following: Tesla Model S; Smart ForTwo and For Four electric drive; Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED; Nissan Leaf; Renault Zoe; BMW i3; Kia Soul EV; Mitsubishi i-MiEV; Citroen C-Zero; Peugeot iON; and Volkswagen’s e-Golf and e-Up.

Many of the 2014 units had incredibly limited range (the Smart couldn’t even travel 100 miles on a full charge), but those on sale today can get almost a fortnight of use before needing to be recharged.

The average range of all electric vehicles currently on sale is 240 miles; Since the average daily mileage in Britain is currently around 20 miles, drivers can – in theory – use one for 13 days before the battery needle reaches zero.

And the SMMT says this average range will increase closer to 300 miles by the end of the year, once new models arrive.

The longest range examples can travel more than 500 miles, although the EV that achieves this feat is incredibly expensive.

More choice than ever, but the public is not exactly flocking to dealers to buy electric vehicles

Unfortunately for manufacturers, their growing range of electric cars comes at a time when demand from private buyers is seemingly hitting a roadblock.

While EV registrations up to the end of April are just over 10 percent ahead of last year with 107,000 units sold, the SMMT points out that only one in six will be purchased by private buyers.

It is believed that appetite among the general public has taken a hit due to a combination of these premium price tags, persistent range fears and the lack of public charging infrastructure.

Higher energy costs have also made electric cars less attractive over the past 18 months, as has Rishi Sunak’s decision to delay the ban on new petrol and diesel by five years, until 2035.

Battery electric vehicles (BEV) currently account for 15.7% of all new car registrations by 2024. The slower-than-expected acceleration of electric vehicle adoption has forced the industry body to downgrade its full-year forecast to less than 20%.

Under ZEV mandate rules, major automakers must sell a 22% share of electric vehicles by 2024 – and an increasing share annually thereafter. If these targets are not met, significant fines will apply for each vehicle below the threshold

Despite numerous calls from the automotive and wider automotive industry, the government has remained steadfast in its position not to introduce new incentives to boost sales to private buyers.

The SMMT wants ministers to abolish VAT on new EV purchases, reduce the 20 percent tax on public charging prices to 5 percent, and scrap the ‘expensive car’ Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) supplement for electric cars as soon as they are forced to Road tax to be paid from April 2025.

Ministers are reluctant to let the British taxpayer help cover the cost of purchasing electric vehicles, but are also aware that many drivers are taking advantage of other battery car options.

A huge jump in EV fleet registrations in recent years has been caused by the A large number of motorists benefit from lucrative, tax-reducing wage sacrifice schemes through their workplace – even though these are registered as fleet buyers and not private purchasers.

Ministers are also relying on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate to boost sales, with manufacturers facing financial penalties if they fail to increase their share of electric car sales each year.

Manufacturers have already revised down their full-year expectations for electric vehicle sales to below 20 per cent and the SMMT recently told the Commons’ Transport Select Committee that many brands will miss this year’s binding target of 22 per cent .

Yet transportation ministers are adamant that all major automakers will avoid fines by 2024 if they take advantage of other available options, including buying ZEV credits from dedicated EV makers (such as Tesla and Polestar) or pledging their share of the Increase EV sales. in other years between now and 2035.

Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT, said: “Manufacturers are making good on their promises to reduce emissions and offer consumers increasing choice in electric cars.

‘There are now more than 100 models available in every segment – ​​a six-fold increase from ten years ago – demonstrating the pace of change.

‘However, the industry can only do so much on its own, and if we are to make electric vehicles accessible to all and achieve the net zero transformation we all need, further support is needed.

‘It’s time to reform taxes on these vehicles, to make public charging more affordable, accelerate the pace of charging point rollout and break some of the myths about these crucial vehicles. They are the future and they are available now.’