How popular are electric and hybrid cars?

The government has set targets for manufacturers which will increase each year so that by 2030 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold will be zero-emission, easing towards 100% by 2035. 

Car manufacturers' initiatives to go fully electric

All car manufacturers are under pressure to go 100% electric, with targets ranging from 2025 to 2035.

Audi has said that by 2026 all its new models will be electric and that it will have phased out all its fuel-powered cars by 2033.

Meanwhile, Fiat has announced it will be fully electric by 2027. To this end, it has produced electric-powered versions of each of its models since 2023 and offers plug-in hybrid alternatives for all models sold in the UK.

Are electric and hybrid vehicles going to replace petrol cars in the UK?

The government recently changed the deadline from 2030 to 2035, but does this mean that we will all have to switch to electric then? 

The answer is "no". The deadline is for the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars. That means you'll still be able to use, buy and sell second-hand petrol cars. 

At present, electric vehicles are unaffordable to many. However, initiatives to make them more affordable include government grants, financing, salary sacrifice schemes, electric car subscription services. As the availability of second-hand EVs increases, prices should go down.

The benefits of electric or hybrid cars 

Although still more costly to buy than petrol or diesel cars, there are savings to make in other areas.

Zero emissions means zero road tax for EVs. Hybrid cars are still liable for road tax but it's lower than a full petrol or diesel car. 

The number one benefit of EVs is the impact on the environment. More and more cities are introducing clean air zones, so an EV is exempt from congestion charges.

Although energy prices have increased since then, EVs are still cheaper to run. Nevertheless, you should check out which electricity supplier provides the best deal for your area if you want to make the biggest savings.