Electric vehicles are one of the most talked-about topics in the motoring industry today. The Uptake of electric vehicles is booming and is set to increase exponentially over the next couple of years. Official statistics show that EVs will eclipse petrol and diesel cars by 2028 (more below). However, although we hear about electric vehicles almost every day, there is a lot we don’t actually know about them.
Electric cars may be gaining popularity now, but the idea of the first self-propelled vehicle dates back to 1832! A Scottish inventor named Robert Anderson built the first electric-powered vehicle prototype in 1832. It was a basic cart with a single electric motor and non-rechargeable power cells. However, Thomas Parker built the first production car with rechargeable batteries in 1884, with further advances made by Gaston Planté.
Despite being completely silent, electric vehicles are required to make an artificial noise. This is because cars are so quiet that they can be a risk to pedestrians who may not see the car coming. The EU has made this mandatory for hybrid and electric vehicles that travel under 19 mph (30 km/h).
As of December 2024, the United Kingdom had approximately 73,421 public electric vehicle (EV) charging points. In contrast, the number of petrol stations in the UK has been steadily declining over the past few decades. As of 2024, there were around 8,000 petrol stations remaining. This indicates that EV charging points now significantly outnumber petrol stations in the UK.
Just like mobile phones can be charged wirelessly by placing them on a pad, electric vehicles could soon be charged whilst driving. This could be achieved using embedded charging points in roads or inductive charging lanes, similar to those used in some wireless electric bus charging projects.
In October 2024, Tesla unveiled the Cybercab (pictured above), a prototype robotaxi designed without a steering wheel or pedals, emphasising the company’s commitment to a fully autonomous future. Tesla aims to commence production of the Cybercab before 2027.
Based on data collated by Zap-Map, EV registrations in the UK have grown by approximately 10,550% from 2013 to 2024.
The most expensive part of an electric vehicle is the battery. However, the cost of lithium-ion batteries has fallen by around 80% since 2010. This price drop is expected to continue, making EVs more affordable and comparable to traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
Scientists at Pohang University of Science & Technology have found a way to multiply a battery’s energy storage by ten to create the ideal EV battery. It’s a long way from reality, but the pace at which battery technology is improving suggests that we’ll be driving EVs further per charge than petrol or diesel could ever manage on a full tank.
Electric cars have fewer moving parts than conventional vehicles powered by petrol or diesel. Fewer components can fail, leading to lower maintenance and repair costs.
As of 2024, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for 20% of new car registrations in the UK, with sales reaching 25% in the final quarter of the year. Projections indicate that EV sales are expected to surpass those of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2028.
Electric vehicles are one of the most talked-about topics in the motoring industry today. The Uptake of electric vehicles is booming and is set to increase exponentially over the next couple of years. Official statistics show that EVs will eclipse petrol and diesel cars by 2028 (more below). However, although we hear about electric vehicles almost … Continued
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo is one of our most popular all-electric business vans. For businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint, reduce fuel costs and eliminate charges for entering the growing number of Low Emission Zone (LEZ) springing up in many city centres, the ID.Buzz Cargo is the ideal solution. Plus, its funky good looks … Continued
Are you searching for data about the driving landscape in the UK? Do you want to know how many car trips happen in the country or how much time drivers spend in their cars in general? How about the most common new registered or used cars and their colours? The ratio of alternative fuel cars … Continued
Managing a fleet of up to 1,000 vehicles can feel like a juggling act—from securing the most competitive lease rates and tracking contract mileages, to staying compliant and reducing time spent on admin. Without the right support, these challenges can quickly spiral, consuming valuable time and resources. That’s where Fleet Alliance steps in. As the … Continued
What is Adblue? And why do you need it for your diesel car? If you’ve not come across it before, it’s an additive that is used to help diesel cars run cleaner exhaust emission systems. Not all diesel cars require AdBlue, however. Now, while it’s true that demand for diesel cars is declining – the … Continued
When you take a car on salary sacrifice from your employer, you are agreeing to pay the car’s monthly rentals for the duration of the agreement. Usually this is over 24 or 36 months but can be 48 months. Your employer has set up the salary sacrifice as a benefit to you. It enables you … Continued
Who would have thought that Britain would be the largest market for electric cars in Europe? Given the daily misgivings about the technology rehearsed in some of the media, not to mention the constant negative criticism on social media, you might possibly think that Britain really doesn’t want anything to do with this zero tailpipe … Continued
It’s a complex job managing a company car fleet. There’s balancing budgets against cost increases. Then there’s meeting the demands of drivers while decarbonising the fleet under your company’s ESG strategy. And what about those drivers who opted out of the company car scheme and took the cash? They want back in now. Complex is … Continued
1. Never have to scrape an iced up windscreen again If there’s one thing to make you feel really smug, it’s the knowledge that you won’t be one of the many drivers in a combustion engine car that is scraping their windscreens with frozen fingers. If you’re in an EV you can set your car … Continued
The FD says no! How often do you hear that? The person responsible for the cashflow of the business, the protector of the company’s profits, is not often given over to ideas that cost the business money without ROI certainty. But here’s one that should delight any Financial Director: electric car salary sacrifice. You can … Continued