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Daniel Hawkes, energy solutions officer at Jersey Electricity, looks forward to the arrival of new manufacturers to boost the growing electric vehicle market
HAVE you heard of BYD? The chances are that, unless you are a motor enthusiast or a keen football supporter, you may not be familiar with this Chinese manufacturer.
But, given its current trajectory, there is an equally strong chance that, just as Kia and Hyundai are now common sightings on Jersey and UK roads, it will not be long before you pull up behind a BYD at the traffic lights.
Indeed, last year, the company – which has been announced as the official e-mobility partner for the UEFA Euro 2024 championships in Germany – sold 3,024,417 vehicles across the world and, while a number of those vehicles were sold in its home country, the firm has now surpassed Tesla as the world’s largest manufacturer of plug-in electric vehicles.
But why am I highlighting this brand here? Put simply, while BYD is taking the EV market by storm overseas, it is not the only manufacturer keen to disrupt a rapidly growing market.
BYD has realised that not only do its EVs need to be functional, with a good range, but they also need to look good to attract buyers. Its new Seal model, which launched in the UK in October, looks both sporty and stylish.
And this is not the only new EV I have been looking at. Another interesting addition to the market is Fisker, an American company which launched in 2016. While this doesn’t seem to have hit the European market yet, its pick-up truck – the Alaska – is expected to launch in Europe next year, and offers yet more evidence of the growing diversity of EVs now in production.
Even Range Rover – a firm favourite with Islanders – has announced that it will be producing a fully electric model this year while the previously mentioned Kia and Hyundai are both continuing to announce new models. Kia’s EV3 electric compact SUV made its debut as a concept last year but will truly come to market this year, while Hyundai is continuing to hone and expand its Ioniq range.
In some ways, the growing emergence of EVs is not a surprise. Although the UK government has delayed its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035, the writing for fossil-fuelled vehicles is on the wall.
And, while the initial cost of an EV is still significant – although becoming more accessible as new models are produced and the second-hand market evolves – the environmental and cost benefits of owning such a car are very appealing.
Supporting this increased availability of vehicles in a range of styles and at varying price points is people’s knowledge and understanding of EVs. Concerns over range and performance are fading, as people become more adept at understanding battery ranges and journey lengths.
Supporting this locally is not just the Island’s geography – which makes Jersey ideal for EVs – but also its charging infrastructure, something in which Jersey Electricity has invested significantly recently. The Evolve network comprises more than 100 charge points, and Islanders can get behind the wheel safe in the knowledge that they will never be more than a mile and a half away from a charge point.
This comprehensive network not only offers practical solutions for those people who are unable to charge their vehicles at home but also gives that extra peace of mind to anyone who might need to give their car a quick “top up” while they are out and about.
In that way, I think of the public chargers as a “get out of jail card”, a welcome sight in much the same way as a traditional garage forecourt is to anyone who has just seen the fuel gauge warning light appear on their dashboard.
Through its EV incentives schemes, the government has made it even more attractive for those considering buying an EV with grants for buying a new EV or having a charger installed at home. I am sure this will provide a boost to the local EV market.
And, of course, as more and more people switch to electric vehicles, so the EV community grows, a development which adds to the feeling of confidence and support. This is highlighted at our Evolve EV Community Facebook page, where not only can Islanders learn more about the network and how to use it but they can also interact with other EV owners and share stories and advice.
This is a popular forum where EV news, both local and national, is regularly posted, together with updates about the ever-expanding Evolve network. Indeed, further charge points are due to be unveiled within the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye online or read my JEP motoring column next month to find out more.
