With 2022 set to be a pivotal year for EVs, we asked the Fuuse team to share their thoughts on what would be the biggest accelerator for EV adoption this year. It was a real mixed bag across the board from environmental and social factors to advances in infrastructure and technology. Spoiler - there is no single accelerator…
Social Awareness, Endorsement and Momentum
“The perception of owning or driving an EV has changed. It’s no longer seen as green and quirky, but something that we must do. A social responsibility. With so much raised awareness in the past couple of years around climate change and the urgent need to take action, I think more people considering a new car will heed their social conscience, and go electric.” – Will Maden, Research Director
“I think 2022 will offer more coverage to EVs in the press and we’ll begin to see electric vehicles popping up in mainstream culture. It will only take the odd influencer endorsement, or appearance on a popular show to start being perceived as the norm.” – Hannah Haworth, Marketing Manager
“The more you see EV transition happening around you, the more it's on your mind and the more confidence you get against things like range anxiety. Chargers start popping up, your family/neighbour/colleague gets an EV, you see that they don't have any problems with charging and that it's getting better all the time, so you start to look for yourself… I think we are on a tipping point of this natural momentum and 2022 will propel it into full swing.” – Martin Peters, Finance Director
Fuel Prices and Affordability
“Rising petrol and diesel prices are going to be the big pusher. The increased prices will force people to evaluate what they could be saving with an electric vehicle.” – Dana Taqi, Customer Success Manager
“We’re moving into the realms now of the earliest adopters seeking an upgrade, so 2022 could see an increase in second hand EVs, enabling more people to enter the market with more affordable options.” – Josh Watson, Business Development Manager
Vehicle Range
“Rising petrol and diesel prices are going to be the big pusher. The increased prices will force people to evaluate what they could be saving with an electric vehicle.” – Dana Taqi, Customer Success Manager
“With newer models of EVs coming to the market offering increased range ability, I think this will dispel a lot of the hesitancies around range anxiety. I think as EVs gather more widespread interest going into 2022, there will be a need for education on debunking some of the misconceptions around range, and how the advances in charging infrastructure are striving to meet those concerns too.” – David Rabbich, CTO
Accessibility of Charging Infrastructure
““The number of public chargers per EV is already declining so the ability to make more chargers more easily available to more drivers is going to be critical this year. Enhanced features that make this existing charging infrastructure more accessible is going to be key. ” – Dan Lucy-Lloyd, Product Director
“Booking! Features such as EV space booking and alerts when unauthorised vehicles are hogging bays will help make the existing infrastructure work harder and lessen issues of charger availability. Removing another barrier to adoption.”– Emily Garnett, Business Development Manager
Fleet Buyers
“Fleets are sure to tip the scales this year. As more organisations are compelled to take action against climate change, greener alternatives will be sought across the board, including transitioning to EV fleets en masse. They’ve been doing the ground work, understanding their challenges and now they’re ready to move. 2022 will be the year fleet transition really gathers pace.” – Michael Gibson, Managing Director
So there you have it. Charger accessibility and the affordability of EVs should see a new wave of uptake, which with it will bring a growing momentum where electric vehicles are integrated more in the mainstream. Social responsibility will be a crucial driver with organisations transiting fleets at scale, and ultimately more EVs on the road leading to more awareness amongst the general public. All meaning greater education is needed to debunk the myths that have so far held consumers back.
