One of Britain's biggest car dealers warns of 'cooling' demand for EVs

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Electric car demand is hit by charging point crisis as one of Britain’s biggest car dealers warns that demand for EVs is ‘cooling’

  • Vertu Motors slammed the ‘inadequate public charging infrastructure’
  • The group said the UK needed to up its game towards electrification

One of Britain’s biggest car dealers has warned the demand for electric vehicles is ‘cooling’ as the lack of charging points stalls growth.

Vertu Motors slammed the ‘inadequate public charging infrastructure’ as contributing to the slowing momentum around electric vehicles (EV).

The Tyneside group, which has more than 180 dealerships across Britain, said although electric and hybrid vehicle registrations saw growth of more than 20 per cent last year, the UK needed to up its game towards electrification.

‘There has been a cooling of demand for electric vehicles from consumers in the last six months,’ Vertu said, adding: ‘The cost of electricity increasing running costs and inadequate public charging infrastructure have all had an impact’.

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

Vertu Motors slammed the ‘inadequate public charging infrastructure’ as contributing to the slowing momentum around electric vehicles (File photo)

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

Vertu’s concerns come days after a leading trade body said the demand for electric cars was being held back by ‘charge point anxiety’ as drivers fret about the cost and convenience of going green.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) expects plug-in battery EVs to account for 18.4 per cent of new sales this year and 22.6 per cent next year, down from previous forecasts of 19.7 per cent and 23.3 per cent.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) expects plug-in battery EVs to account for 18.4 per cent of new sales this year and 22.6 per cent next year, down from previous forecasts of 19.7 per cent and 23.3 per cent. Pictured: SMMT boss Mike Hawes (File photo)

‘The broader economic conditions and charge point anxiety are beginning to cast a cloud,’ SMMT boss Mike Hawes said.

‘We need everyone – government, local authorities, energy companies and charging providers – to accelerate investment in the transition and bolster consumer confidence.’

Experts also question the geographical spread of EV chargers, with nearly a third in London.

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