Is the future of the UK automotive industry under threat?

The UK government has pledged to reach carbon zero by 2050. This is one of the firm targets that has led to the phasing out of diesel and petrol cars, which will see a full ban on the sale of these cars in place by 2030.  

However, while there has been significant progress made in moving towards motorists swapping to electric vehicles (EVs), there have been some significant setbacks that are bringing UK car production into question. Can these be overcome? What’s the future for our car making industry? 

The rise of EVs

Last summer, it was reported that sales of EVs in the UK had reached an all-time high. According to a government report, more than a quarter of a million EVs are now on UK roads and 327,000 plug-in vehicles were registered in 2021 – a 77% rise compared to 2020.  

This is encouraging news for both the government officials aiming for that zero net carbon target, and for motorists who are still considering making the switch – after all, if more EVs are out and about, it’s a sign that times are changing. It makes sense to get in early before the 2030 ban comes into force. 

Necessary investments

With so many people trading in their traditionally fuelled motors for electric alternatives, it’s essential that the UK motoring industry is ready. 

There are some key things that need to be in place in order to ensure EVs are fully powered and ready to go. First, there must be enough easily accessible charging points to make it possible to get to where drivers are going and these must be in working order. 

Also, specific investments are required to help the EV industry now and in the years to come. These include the development of gigafactories that can produces batteries for EVs on a large scale to meet demand. Additionally, the development of batteries themselves will require investment in terms of financing and skilled workers. 

However, there are issues with battery production and the rolling out of gigafactories in the UK right now. From battery-producing startups going into administration to the impact of Brexit trade agreements, there are a lot of hurdles to overcome if we’re to reach a point where we are smoothly creating EV batteries in the UK. Until we can iron things out, this could pose a real threat to the auto industry across the country. 

Is now a good time to buy EVs?

Despite here being question marks around how we power EVs, it’s still a good time to make the swap to electric. While the initial price for a brand new EV can seem steep, there are financial benefits that come with electric motors, such as the cost per mile is still being significantly less despite energy prices soaring.

If the initial cost of an EV gives you pause, you might find that used electric cars can be a great option. These allow you to steer away from petrol or diesel and give you a feel for the future of driving. 

So, will you make the switch to EV? Are you researching electric ready in preparation for the years ahead?