Motorists consider electric vehicles as petrol prices rise
Petrol prices reaching a new high are likely to further fuel the growth of the electric vehicle market, a Shropshire businessman operating in the industry predicted today.
With the average price of unleaded petrol soaring to 137.44p per litre, Charging Solutions says motorists are looking to electric vehicles as a viable solution to the hike in motoring bills.
James Jean-Louis is managing director of Charging Solutions, one of the UK's fastest growing companies providing plug-in charging points and equipment across the UK for both commercial and domestic use.
He said: “The latest prices come as no surprise with petrol affected by oil prices, which have risen in recent months due to unrest in the Middle East. With no end in sight to this situation, and a 3p a litre rise in fuel duty planned for later this year, motorists are facing high petrol costs for the foreseeable future.
“Vehicle manufacturers have an eye on both the environmental impact of motoring as well as the increased costs and are launching an unprecedented number of new pure electric and plug-in vehicles into the UK market in the next year. Of course, these vehicles need charging points and we've seen a corresponding increase in the interest in our products in recent months.”
Mr Jean-Louis said the market for charging points was expected to grow from fewer than 10,000 last year to nearly two million across the EU by 2017. In the UK alone there are expected to be around 400,000 installed by this date. It is expected that the majority of vehicle charging will be done at home or at work, as well as at publicly available charging points at places like the High Street, supermarkets and car parks.
Charging Solutions, based near Shrewsbury, supplies a complete range of EV charging points and accessories that include wall or ground pole mounting and flexible access options, from simple push button activation to its GSM/GPRS based management and payment system. It is seeing a hike in sales to both commercial and domestic customers.
“The market for both electric vehicles and charging points, in the UK, Ireland and across Europe, is huge. A recent study revealed that more than half of new car buyers would consider choosing an electric car in the next two years, and the increase petrol prices can only boost this figure.
“The automotive industry is already responding to this demand, with 29 pure electric and plug-in new cars hitting the roads in 2012/2013. We're in talks with many of the leading manufacturers about how we can assist both them and their customers,” added Mr Jean-Louis.
The company has recently won contracts with several local authorities to install its charging points and is working with partners on a number of pioneering new products due for release this year.
