FOCUS INTERVIEW
ELECTRIC
DREAMS
24 MARCH 2020
So far the electric vehicle (EV) has been
largely seen as a niche product, but it looks
as if 2020 could be the year it goes mainstream.
Most of the major automotive manufacturers
are joining the likes of Tesla to produce fully (not
hybrid) electric cars.
The costs are still higher than regular petrol
and diesel fuelled cars, but this is changing.
Registrations of battery electric cars have been
increasing (see References, note 1), with yearon
year growth of 2,720 units. This is set to
accelerate following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s
announcement (2) that the government plans to
bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and
diesel cars and vans from 2050 to 2035 (or earlier if
a faster transition is feasible) – and for the first time
this policy is to include hybrids.
With the government promising to continue to
work with all sectors of industry to accelerate the
rollout of zero emission vehicles, and all major
automotive manufacturers now working on
electrifying their ranges, the next big step forward
will be ensuring that there is an infrastructure in
place to enable EV drivers to conveniently recharge
their vehicles.
According to the latest statistics (3), the total
The uptake of electric vehicles will be limited until a proper charging
infrastructure is in place. Sara Bean talks to Giles Benbow of Actemium
and Phil Russell of VINCI Facilities, who are working together to off er
FMs practical, cost-eff ective solutions