SMMT new registrations: Record EV growth highlights infrastructure constraints

Sophie Linnell, Infrastructure and Energy Director at Walker Morris, said: “Car registration figures for March demonstrate the growing tension in the UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs). While record breaking BEV volumes demonstrate strong demand, uptake continues to fall significantly short of the ZEV mandate trajectory. This reinforces similar concerns to last month, with progress now being constrained by a lack of viable infrastructure, rather than availability of EVs.

“Fleet operators and businesses in particular continue to face difficulties in securing sufficient charging capacity, navigating grid constraints and scaling renewable energy solutions. Without faster grid connections and more integrated charging and energy planning, achieving the ZEV mandate will remain extremely challenging.”

She added: “The Government’s recent £1 billion investment to cut costs for businesses, drive growth and clean up UK roads is a positive signal of support for fleet electrification. However, funding alone will not solve the problem and there is still a challenge to deliver integrated charging and energy solutions that work. This relies on joined up delivery including charge point installation, timely grid access and a clear understanding and approach to tackling local network constraints.”