World EV Day: celebrating sustainable e-mobility

Today, Friday 9th September, marks the third annual World EV Day, a day celebrating e-mobility and highlighting the importance of shifting to sustainable road transport in order to achieve our net zero goals.  

Although overall vehicle registrations have suffered during the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, the EV sector continues to grow. The high price of petrol and diesel is a major worry for many ICE drivers; 48% of UK car owners were reported to be concerned about whether they will be able to afford the high costs, according to Motor Ombudsman. Despite a rise in the cost of charging, electric vehicles represent a more affordable option for many amidst the uncertainty and are now cheaper to run per year than ICE vehicles.

According to SMMT data, battery electric vehicles represented a market share of 14.5% of new car registrations in August 2022, demonstrating a 35.4% increase compared to August 2021. And a forecast by GoCompare suggests the UK’s EV stock may grow by 509% within ten years. However, this is predicted to lead to a ratio of 527 vehicles per charger if infrastructure is not vastly scaled.

Looking forward, changes need to be implemented now to prepare for the increase in electric vehicles on the road. The Economist’s rEV index assesses the market and explores the UK’s readiness for EVs. The research highlights the steps needed to accelerate the next stages of the EV transition, including building the right charging infrastructure, improving consumer sentiment, and making the switch affordable.  

Charge point operators have the chance to shape the transition. At Zest, these core concepts are integrated into the heart of our offer. Beyond increasing the number of charge points available, we are passionate about offering the right mix of charging speeds to meet consumer needs for each location. Our customer-focused charging experience means we offer easy-to-use charge points where people work, live, and play. And our zero-cost managed service removes the financial burden for public and commercial landowners across the UK, so more people can gain access to the charging infrastructure needed.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Zest’s zero-cost managed service, get in touch today.