Surge witnessed in EV demand
A recent surge in interest in electric cars means that new buyers are having to wait for their new vehicles as global orders outstrip supply around the world.
The Flexed.co.uk company says that the Volkswagen emissions scandal is being cited as the prime reason customers are ordering electric cars as they look to become green drivers, as well as running costs at just a few pence per mile.
‘We’ve seen enquiries for electric cars go through the roof in recent weeks,’ said Flexed.co.uk’s Mark Hall, ‘Petrol and diesel cars just aren’t getting a look in.’ Not only that, Mark said, the new buying trend is for fully-electric cars, with hybrid sales remaining essentially static.
‘There seems to be a wave of disgust at Volkswagen over the emissions scandal, and it’s driving customers away from petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, no matter what the make,’ said Mark. Instead, Mark claims, it’s 100% electric cars that are currently leading enquiries for motorists. And no wonder, with current prices making purchasing or leasing an electric car worthwhile.
One factor that’s slowing the production of electric cars is a world shortage of cobalt, one of the key components of the high capacity, high performance batteries that have driven the technology.
‘There’s only so much battery production in the world, and a sudden peak in customer orders for electric cars globally means longer lead-in times for orders,’ said Mark. ‘The end result is competition among manufacturers for battery components, and the spectre of higher prices.’
With 2016 looking like it’s going to be the year that electric cars make the breakthrough into everyday use, the pressure is on manufacturers to increase production of cars, batteries and charging facilities.
‘The motor trade was well prepared for increased interest in green driving this year,’ said Mark, “But they’ve been caught out by the spike in orders following the VW scandal.’
