It is no longer conjecture that electric vehicles will be an integral part of the future as most of the world moves towards a net zero future. Even with the pandemic and related supply chain constraints, the electric vehicle industry keeps growing, with the number of delivered electric vehicles having grown by 75% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to a similar period in the previous year. Despite this growth, electric vehicles still make up about 10% of all vehicles sold globally.
Electric vehicles only. Credit: Marco Verch / Flickr
Credit: Marco Verch / Flickr
There are challenges for sure, but there are also trends that indicate that this will be changing soon. Here are some of those trends.
Europe Leads in EV Ownership
The era of electric vehicle ownership in Europe started in early 2020, and we have seen the number of vehicles sold in the region grow by huge margins. In 2020, there was a 143% increase in cars sold in the region compared to 2019. Even though there was a slump due to the pandemic, those numbers are on the rise again.
A major reason for EV growth in Europe is government rules and regulations surrounding CO2 emissions. Many governments across the EU plan to phase out combustion engine vehicles in the coming decades, so manufacturers are putting more effort into producing more electric vehicles.
Even with this being the case, EV ownership varies wildly across the region, mainly due to differences in local and national policies, and the availability or scarcity of charging infrastructure and desired electric car models in different markets.
The numbers are still impressive though, with a study done by The Driven putting the number of electric vehicles on the road at 22% in the first quarter of 2022 and finding that about a quarter of all new vehicle sales are for an electric vehicle.
Massive Growth in Charging Infrastructure
The lack of proper charging infrastructure is a major reason many people are hesitant on buying an EV. The good news is that the government and private businesses are already working on increasing the number of charging stations in various countries. The EU has already mandated that countries have 1 charger for every 10 electric vehicles and countries like the UK are already way ahead on hitting this target.
Businesses are also doing their part by providing charging stations for customers who visit their business. Such an option is convenient for the customers, makes some money for businesses, and makes them a lot more desirable to customers and patrons.
Range is also a concern, and it is tied to charging. One study done in the UK found the majority of EV owners and those considering a switch to electric vehicles expect about 250 miles between charges. Even in cases where a vehicle does not have a very long range, having a charger that can add 50 to 100 kilometres in a few minutes would still be a welcome compromise for a lot of people.
The obvious solution is to make charging at home more accessible and affordable. The good news here is that there are already smart chargers that EV owners can install in their homes, which charge the vehicle when energy is cheapest.
If you are still unsure about switching to an electric vehicle due to charging concerns, you can find answers that help alleviate your concerns in the guides provided by ElectriX. LV ElectriX provides you with all the information you need to know about buying, owning, and living with an electric vehicle. They have guides that cover everything from the basics and charging to the cost of living with one and how to make the switch.
Fleet Electrification
Although most of the focus is on personal electric vehicles right now, the electrification of fleets is another trend that will drive this industry forward. Businesses are already working towards electric buses as well as heavy, semi, and light commercial vehicles.
The growth of e-commerce during the pandemic can be thought of as one reason for this, with an increase in home deliveries boosting the demand for electric trucks and vans. We have already seen companies like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon turn to electric fleets. These and other companies also have plans to increase the number of EVs in their fleets.
Vehicles that complete last-mile deliveries are in the best position for electrification. These vehicles follow predictable routes and typically travel less than 80 kilometres a day. School businesses and public transport vehicles also fall under the same umbrella. The vehicles discussed above can all be charged at night, so they are ready in the morning.
The electrification of heavy freight trucks is also in the plans, but that will take much longer as we wait for improvements in battery technology.
Conclusion
Understanding these trends will give you a better idea of what to expect in the future for electric vehicles and e-mobility. Vehicle manufacturers, governments, private businesses, and utility companies are already working together to make an electrified future possible, and that is great to see.
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