Call For UK to Adopt International Initiatives to Boost Electric Vehicle Uptake

A new league table has revealed that Great Britain is drastically falling behind the world leaders in purchasing electric vehicles. Experts say the British government must adopt international initiatives that have proved successful in EV uptake, or they risk missing significant targets. 

Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk and LeaseElectricCar.co.uk call for the British government to seriously establish a greener road network by introducing more zero-emission initiatives in the UK.

Just 16.6% of new cars brought in Great Britain last year were fully electric, compared to almost 80% in Norway.

Share of electric vehicles in new passenger car registrations in selected countries in 2022

* Excluding (BEV) (PHEV) and other hybrids

Norway has the highest uptake of electric vehicles globally, with EVs accounting for nearly 4 out of every five new car registrations.

With 32.1% of new vehicles purchased being fully electric, Sweden ranks second in the world.

Although it has a significantly lower EV takeup than Norway, Sweden still has nearly double the rate of Britain.

Experts suggest that the UK government could follow Norway’s lead to counteract the infrastructure failings holding back EV uptake.

Norway has had an accelerated adoption of EVs with world-leading figures, credited to previous government policies and incentives such as the elimination of VAT for EV purchases, no purchase/ import tax, no charge on toll roads or ferries and free municipal parking.

Tim Alcock from LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said: “Although Britain is fifth in the world for uptake of EVs, ranking above countries such as France and the United States, the government’s target to end the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 seems unrealistic.

“Not only does the UK lack EV charging infrastructure, there are also few compelling incentives for people to go green.

“In Norway, initiatives like free parking, no tax and no charge on toll roads proved successful in improving EV uptake.”

The Norwegian parliament is now on target to hit their national goal that all new cars sold by 2025 should be zero-emissions, five years ahead of Britain’s target.

Meanwhile, the British government announced in the 2022 Autumn budget that electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty, better known as road tax.

The government is also on course to miss another significant EV target that promised to add six or more rapid chargers at every motorway service by the end of 2023.

Alcock added: “As we look to the future, Britain risks falling behind in EV adoption, and we should instead be following Norway’s success story.

“Many factors are going against EV ownership in the UK, including the cost-of-living crisis reducing buyer interest and the increasing cost of charging.

“The significant flaws in public charge points and the lack of availability deter car owners from switching in Britain. Until the government implements improvements to infrastructure, people will put off the move to electric cars.

“The government must introduce compelling initiatives to increase EV ownership if we are to meet targets and embrace a sustainable and green future.

“For the market to evolve in the UK, it is also imperative that the government delivers on its EV promises.”