In the last five years, the number of electric vehicles has increased significantly, and this growth is undoubtedly expected to continue. We at Replenishh have witnessed this transition first-hand as a wholesale provider of EV charging solutions.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that in 2022, the UK saw an all-time high in the number of electric vehicle registrations. In the UK, EVs are now the second most popular powertrain after diesel vehicles after having sold over 42,284 units in the previous year! This is a huge rise from the 27,705 EV registrations in 2021. The registration of EVs has soared by an astounding 52.6% YoY between 2021 and 2022.

2 million EVs were sold worldwide in 2016, with China setting the pace for adoption. By 2020, global EV sales had topped 4 million units, with China still leading the way, but other nations like the US, Germany, Norway, and the UK had all experienced significant increase over time. At the end of 2022, global EV sales had surpassed 7 million units and is set to continue.

The rising availability of EVs from major manufacturers and a host of newcomers has been one of the main factors in this expansion because it has increased consumer knowledge and, more importantly, accessibility to EVs. Additionally, improvements in battery technology have contributed to EVs being better for daily use. The capacity of batteries has significantly increased, allowing EVs to drive further on a single charge and reducing charging times.

Government regulations have had a significant impact. The adoption of new smart regulations for private charge points as well as the requirement for EV chargers in new residential and non-residential buildings with connected parking spaces were two key regulatory changes that occurred last year. Substantial adjustments were also made to the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles' (OZEV) home and workplace charger schemes, which had a significant impact on homeowners, tenants, and small-business owners. Read more on legislation here.

It should go without saying that the expansion of EV sales is being aided by the growing infrastructure for charging. The UK's continuous acceptance has been greatly aided by efforts on the part of both public and private organisations to install additional chargers.

"We have witnessed a big transition to EV variants over the last couple of years, and 2022 was no different with increasing numbers making the conversion," says Jim Rugg, Head of Replenishh. “The future is promising for installers and there is much opportunity to be gained by many looking to upskill. The regulation governing EV charging equipment is fast evolving, so we need to make sure we are there to support those looking to become installers and those already in the field.”

Replenishh is ideally situated to support the growth of EV charging station installation in the UK. For installers of EV charging points at public, private, and business venues, this makes us a practical one-stop shop. We maintain a sizable stock profile of EV charging equipment from a variety of manufacturers and guarantee reliable and prompt distribution, including next-day delivery from our state-of-the-art warehouse facilities, giving trade customers the assurance of prompt supplies.

To conclude, the SMMT data shows a clear trend toward rising EV use in the UK overall. In the upcoming years, it is expected that this trend will continue, which will increase demand for EV charging infrastructure. It's likely that more charging stations will be erected around the nation in the near future as a result of the government and industry leaders taking action to address any barriers to EV adoption, helping the UK achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and advance the transition to a more environmentally friendly transportation system!

To find out more about how Replenishh can you and/or your business, contact us today.