British electric car options surge as driving ranges reach record highs
British drivers switching to electric might have one interesting problem: which model to spend their money on. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK auto market has witnessed an explosion in EVs, with 80 percent of all new cars having an electric version, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and hybrids.
EV buyers have to wade through more than 130 fully electric models, up from 102 in just a year. PHEVs and hybrids are available in 100 and 50 versions, respectively.
Even more exciting is the increasing driving ranges, allowing owners to drive further. The average BEV now easily delivers about 300 miles before running out of juice, a significant increase from 235 miles last year. Drivers splashing on premium models can expect up to 400 miles on the road, more than the average distance covered by a British car owner.
Hybrids can also handle most daily commutes without falling on diesel or petrol, thanks to bigger battery packs and more efficient motors. The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid, for instance, offers 88 miles of electric driving.
Perhaps the most exciting development is the advent of more affordable electric cars, which allow BEVs to account for more than 20 percent of all new car purchases, up from 16.9 percent in 2024.
