With sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans due to end in the UK by 2030, the race to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) is on. This new automotive ecosystem continues to bring with it a host of new technology providers, alongside significant and ongoing changes to road infrastructure.

Here we take a look at the current state of the market, key challenges for the sector, and examine how standards are playing an essential role in supporting the whole EV infrastructure.

What’s the situation for electric vehicles in the UK today?

More than 260,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in the UK in 2022, accounting for 16.6% of all sales and coming second behind petrol models. Additionally, hybrid cars made up 11.6% of sales and plug-in hybrids 6.3%.

This has filtered down to the second hand market too: a record 71,071 used BEVs were sold, a rise of 37.5% from 2021. Sales of used hybrids rose 8.6% and plug-in hybrids 3.6%.

Globally, the International Energy Association (IEA) says there were 16.1 million electric vehicles on the roads in 2021 – triple the figure from three years earlier. However, it says more needs to be done if the world is to remain on track for net zero emissions by 2050. So, what are the main barriers, and how are they being overcome?

1) Charging infrastructure

According to a 2022 AA poll, other than affordability, concerns about lack of rapid charging points on motorways remains the main barrier to purchasing an EV. Thankfully, things are improving. In February 2023, there were almost 39,000 public chargers in the UK at more than 23,000 locations, compared with just over 8,000 conventional fuel stations. Additionally, there were an estimated 400,000 home and workplace charging points, some of which are available to the public.

2) Range anxiety

This describes the fear felt by drivers that their electric vehicle will not have the power to complete a journey. However, with 99% of car journeys in England under 100 miles, most drivers will find their needs met by EVs. There’s also good news for drivers who frequently undertake longer journeys. The battery power of new EV models is increasing all the time, with ranges of 300 or even 400 miles per single charge now common.

3) Accessibility

Despite some progress, accessibility remains a major roadblock to widespread EV adoption. Not only is cost a major barrier for much of the population, but there are also issues posing a challenge to other would-be EV drivers. For example, the disability charity, Motability, has reported that from poor signage to inappropriate parking facilities, disabled EV users are being failed on many levels when it comes to public charging facilities. BSI has published PAS 1899:2022 Electric vehicles – Accessible charging – Specification to improve charging point design for drivers with disabilities. It’s free to download.

4) Vehicle charging bays near homes

Not every would-be EV owner has off-street parking suitable for installing a home charging point, especially if they live in a city. Local councils can be slow to respond to requests for on-street charging bays, or lack the budget to invest in the infrastructure. Unfortunately, there is unlikely to be a short-term fix for EV owners without off-street parking. While the government has launched funding schemes to improve EV charging infrastructure (by incorporating charging points in lampposts and bollards, for example), progress remains slow.

5) Cost of electricity

If you fill your car with petrol, you’d expect to pay for it yourself. However, as the cost of energy rises, some drivers are concerned about footing the bill. According to a 2022 AA survey, 63% of respondents reported that rising energy costs have put them off buying an EV. However, this could point to a lack of education on the true costs of fuelling different vehicle types. Currently, one full charge is relatively cheap, even allowing for rising energy costs. Charging a small car at home can cost as little as 3.4p per mile, according to Which? Plus, as of November 2022, around 11% of public charging points were free, including many at supermarkets, workplaces and in car parks.

6) Problems with vehicle charging up at stations

There are differences at charge point facilities that cause confusion. One example is the speed of charging. A slow charge point (3 kW) will charge a vehicle in around 6-12 hours, depending on its battery size. A fast charge point (of 7 kW or 22 kW) will do so in 4-5 hours, a rapid charge point (of 43-50 kW) in around one hour, while ultra-rapid charge points (100+ kW) take 20-30 minutes. Another confusion concerns connection cables, with drivers sometimes finding that charge points do not have the right one for their vehicle.

According to BS EN IEC 61851-1:2019 Electric vehicle conductive charging system - General requirements, there are three possible cable types:

• Connection with attached plug and cable, where the cable assembly is part of the vehicle.

• Connection with cable and vehicle connector, where the detachable cable assembly is not part of the vehicle or the charging station.

• Connection with cable and vehicle connector, where the cable assembly is part of the EV charging station.

Drivers can check their vehicle’s specifications to confirm the right cable for their needs, and buy extra cables from dealers. For more details, take a look at Zap Map’s EV charging connector types page. You can buy the relevant standards from BSI Knowledge, where members get 50% off.

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