So the UK is betting battery technology will drastically change so they are made of something okay for the environment, cheap, and readily available. Okay; I hope that works out.
The UK, being a relatively small place in comparison to Europe or the USA, could get away with a 300 mile charge except for work vehicles making deliveries unless that battery tech also means a 5 minute fast bump charge at readily available e-ports.
Time will tell but I predict we will be using gas engine cars as e-cars are phased in for at least 30 more years. Low income people can’t afford any new car worth much and that’s not going to change. Then there’s the replacement cost of a new battery bank which can cost up to $10k; another cost not affordable to low income people.
Then there’s the car aficionados who love their gas and diesel engine cars, trucks, Jeeps, etc.
I do see one possibility that will make the transition more palatable; kits that make existing vehicles into an e-vehicle. An entire industry could be built on that alone and would not create the problem of massive salvage and recycle yards full of today’s gas and diesel vehicles.
Lastly; the massive load increase on the power grid would have to be addressed as well.
Loading... they probably won’t have considered that problem until the last minute and a massive tax will be necessary to upgrade the grid. By that time everyone will be desperate.
“Then there’s the replacement cost of a new battery bank which can cost up to $10k; another cost not affordable to low income people.”
Not really an issue.
Lifespan of EV batteries are getting long enough that replacement isn’t a concern - at least compared to the point where an ICE pretty much self-destructs (>250,000 miles). Tesla is about to announce a major battery breakthrough, indications are battery will last over a million miles (>80% original capacity remaining at that point).
Costs are plummeting too. Replacement battery for a Nissan Leaf 2011-2015 is $5500 ... quite comparable (or better than) cost of repairing an ICE at about the same age/wear. Given that few parts ever need replacing in an EV, that’s cheap. And at that price, vs the price of used Leafs, just go buy a used Leaf with 50,000 miles on it.
“the massive load increase on the power grid would have to be addressed as well.”
Yes, there is an increase. If adoption can be staged appropriately, grid owners will have time to upgrade.
Load will look something like every home running a hairdryer 24/7. Not trivial, but not overwhelming either.
This load increase likely matches the decrease due to widespread adoption of low-power lighting and other high-efficiency electric products. Yes I’d expect the grid need an upgrade, but not a massive one.
In addition, seems a good reason to normalize expanding use of home solar. If you can, on the whole, power your car via roof panels that’s better in many ways. Don’t need a full-blown system up there, just a big enough “bucket” to buffer whatever PVs one can install. I see this as good not for “green” reasons, but for self-sufficiency.
“kits that make existing vehicles into an e-vehicle.”
I’ve seen references to such kits being available. Not sure how desirable they actually are, but surely there’s a market for such. Did know one guy looking at putting an EV engine in his Jeep.
But what is the point?
Change for change's sake?
Worship of the weird weather religion?
Inquiring minds want to know!