Car makers treble battery range and deliver 15-fold increase in model choice in a decade

Massive investment by car makers since 2011 means today’s electric vehicle buyers can benefit from a 15-fold increase in choice of model, as well as, on average, more than three times the battery range compared with a decade ago, according to new research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

At the time of the launch of Britain’s first mass-produced battery electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, in 2011, just nine plug-in car models were available in the UK – making up less than one in 1,000 total registrations.¹ Today, there are more than 140 plug-in models available, accounting for around one in five new cars sold this year, with a further 50 models expected to be launched by the end of 2022.²

SMMT will show this wide range of choice at its annual Test Day driving event on Tuesday, with 33 manufacturers demonstrating more than 100 models at Millbrook Proving Ground, including 42 plug-in electric models on the circuit.³ Hundreds of media guests will test the high-level performance, safety and technology features of the latest cars, vans, pick-ups and taxis. They will also get first-hand experience of the dramatic improvements in electric vehicle battery technology, with the battery electric vehicles on display averaging 257 miles on a single charge³ – more than treble the average of 74 miles available at Test Day in 2011.⁴

This increased range is a direct result of the automotive industry’s ingenuity and investment – and the trend will continue, with all of Britain’s leading car manufacturers and importers committed to decarbonising their model line-ups, whether hatchbacks, SUVs or hypercars, with a further 150 new and updated plug-ins due to be delivered to the UK market by 2025.

Newly introduced for SMMT Test Day 2022 is the Working Vehicle Zone, where 15 trucks will be tested – almost half of them zero-emission – having undergone significant technological advancements during the last decade.⁵ These larger, heavier vehicles are vital to the UK economy and its green transition, with similar timescales to electric cars and vans, in spite of their highly complex mechanical and infrastructural challenges. However, truck manufacturers are already providing innovative solutions, with mammoth battery and plug-in hybrid powertrains, hydrogen fuel cell and quick-charging capability to meet their varied transportation uses.

While electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes have become more visible across the UK – alongside the gradually increasing presence of chargepoints at fuel stations and roadside in cities and on motorways – infrastructure has failed to keep up with demand, and could stifle greater uptake, with 75% of motorists saying there are not enough public chargepoints to meet their needs.⁶

Further investment in chargepoint infrastructure, therefore, is essential so that all consumers in all regions of the UK can be confident they will be able to charge their electric vehicle whenever and wherever they want. The government’s new EV infrastructure strategy launched last month was a positive step towards addressing consumers’ needs, but there must be binding targets for chargepoint delivery that match the latest ambitious mandates on electric vehicle production to deliver this fundamental infrastructure ahead of need.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “The ever-increasing number of electric vehicle models launched by manufacturers since 2011 shows just how far Britain has come, with industry investment stimulating innovation at an ever-faster rate. With almost 200 electrified models expected to be available by the end of the year, manufacturers are turning ambitions for zero and ultra-low emission mobility into a reality, while motorists’ demand for these vehicles increases month by month.

“To turn this nascent demand into a mass market, however, motorists need choice, affordability and the confidence to charge. The UK has an ambitious timescale to deliver net zero and road transport must shoulder the biggest burden delivering that goal. The industry is up for the challenge but we need all stakeholders, including government, charge point providers and energy companies, to match manufacturers’ commitment by providing the competitive incentives and infrastructure that assures a zero-emission future.”

¹ Plug-in cars available in the UK, 2011: Aixam Mega, Citroën C-Zero, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot Ion, Reva G-Wiz, Smart Fortwo Coupe, Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius

² 2011: 1,082 plug-in electric vehicles, 0.1% market share; 2021: 190,727, 18.6%; Q1 2022: 93,926, 22.5%.

³ Plug-in cars by manufacturer, model, powertrain and range at SMMT Test Day 2022 – correct at time of going to press

Manufacturer	Model	BEV/PHEV	Quoted Range (miles)
Audi	Q4 Sportback e-tron 40 140kW Launch Edition	BEV	324
Audi	e-tron GT quattro Vorsprung	BEV	298
BMW	i4 M50	BEV	316
BMW	iX xDrive40	BEV	257
BMW	iX3 M Sport	BEV	286
Citroën	ë-C4 134bhp electric motor, 50Kwh Lithium-Ion Battery, Shine Plus	BEV	217
Citroën	e-Berlingo Flair XTR M	BEV	174
CUPRA	CUPRA Formentor 1.4 e-Hybrid VZ1 245PS DSG	PHEV	32
DS Automobiles	DS4	PHEV	34
DS Automobiles	DS9	PHEV	43
Fiat	New 500 Icon	BEV	199
Fiat	500 Action	BEV	118
Ford	Mustang Mach-E Extended Range SUV AWD Auto 1SP	BEV	335
Genesis	GV60	BEV	280
Honda	Honda e Advance. Modern Steel Metallic	BEV	137
Hyundai	IONIQ 5 Ultimate 73kWh All Wheel Drive	BEV	281
Jeep	Renegade Trailhawk 4xe	PHEV	26
Jeep	Compass 4xe Trailhawk	PHEV	30
Kia	Kia EV6 77.4kWh ‘Air’ RWD	BEV	328
Kia	Kia Niro EV Pre-production	BEV	282
Mercedes-Benz	Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ AMG Line Premium Plus Battery electric vehicle, 333 hp/245 kW Electric – WLTP, AMG Line Premium Plus	BEV	453
Mercedes-Benz	Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium 66.5 kWh battery and a 100 kW DC on-board charger	BEV	260
MG Motor	MG ZS EV MG ZS Trophy standard range/51kWh 1-speed Automatic	BEV	198
MG Motor	MG 5 EV Long Range 61kWh 1-speed Automatic/Exclusive & Excite	BEV	273
MINI	MINI Electric Shadow Edition	BEV	140
Nissan	‘Newbird’: Nissan Bluebird	BEV	130
Peugeot	e-Rifter Standard	BEV	172
Peugeot	508 Peugeot Sport Engineered SW 159cc, Pure Tech 200	PHEV	26
Porsche	Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, Dolomite	PHEV	25
Porsche	Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo	PHEV	33
Porsche	Taycan 4S Cross Turismo	BEV	265
Skoda	ENYAQ iV 80 Sportline	BEV	324
SsangYong	Korando e-Motion Ventura	BEV	211
Toyota	Lexus NX450h+ PHEV F SPORT Takumi Pack Sunroof, F SPORT	PHEV	40
Vauxhall	Mokka-e, green	BEV	201
Vauxhall	Grandland GS Line	PHEV	39
Volkswagen	ID.4 GTX Max 77 kWh 299 PS	BEV	301
Volvo	Volvo XC40 Recharge Pro	BEV	260
Volvo	Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Pro	BEV	260
Volvo	Volvo V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 Inscription	PHEV	52
Volvo	Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T8 Inscription Pro	PHEV	32
Volkswagen	Multivan Style Standard 1.4-litre eHybrid 218 PS DSG	PHEV	30

⁴ Plug-in cars by manufacturer, model, powertrain and range at SMMT Test Day 2011:

Manufacturer	Model	Powertrain	Quoted Range (miles)
Chevrolet	Volt	REV	93
Citroën	C-Zero	BEV	83
Mitsubishi	i-MIEV	BEV	50
Nissan	Leaf	BEV	93
Vauxhall	Ampera	REV	84

REV = range extended vehicle

⁵ Trucks by manufacturer, model and powertrain at SMMT Test Day 2022

Manufacturer	Model	Powertrain
Renault Trucks	Electric Renault D 16t E-TECH Box body with tail lift	BEV
Renault Trucks	Electric Renault D 26t E-TECH Low entry cab with refuse body	BEV
Renault Trucks	Electric Renault Master E-TECH OptiTipper Alloy tipping body with lockers	BEV
Volvo Trucks	eFL 4×2 16t	BEV
Volvo Trucks	FM 460 6×2	Natural gas
Volvo Trucks	FH 460 6×2	Diesel
Mercedes-Benz Trucks	Fuso eCanter	BEV
Mercedes-Benz Trucks	Unimog	Diesel
Mercedes-Benz Trucks	Econic 2627L	Diesel
Mercedes-Benz Trucks	Arocs 2653	Diesel
DAF	XF480 FTG	Diesel
DAF	LF Electric 19t	BEV
IVECO	S-WAY AS440S46TP (x2)	Natural gas
IVECO	Daily 70C18HA8 V	Diesel

⁶ Department for Transport and Ipsos MORI (2021), Transport and Technology: Public Attitudes Tracker – Wave 7 summary report, available here.

27/04/2022