According to the predictions of a European environmental lobby group, by 2021, the number of models of electric cars that would be available to consumers across Europe would growth by three times.

The group said that the acceptance of electric cars in the region has not been very enthusiastic primarily because of lack of affordability of the current models as well as a shortage of charging infrastructure across the market.

In 2018, there were about 60 models of electric cars available to consumers in Europe and latest data from shows that the number would increase to 214 by 2021 for Europe. There is high probability the consumers would be more willing to switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric cars faster than anticipated because of the availability of more affordable options before them.

Car makers are now ready to embrace car electrification, concludes an analysis by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), based on data by research firm IHS Markit.

It has been forecast that 92 fully electric vehicle models would be brought to the market by carmakers in 2021 and out of those models, 118 would be plug-in hybrid variety.

The forecast is that there could be 22 per cent of vehicles produced could have a plug by 2025 if the current plans are continued. Such numbers would help car makers to be able to confortably meet the CO2 emissions target of 95g/km by 2025 for cars as set by the European Union.

The data also shows that Germany, France, Spain and Italy would be the markets where the largest electric car production plants would be situated. And by 2023, about 16 large sized factories for manufacturing of lithium-ion battery cells on an industrial scale are confirmed to come up or are slated to start production.

“Thanks to the EU car CO2 standards, Europe is about to see a wave of new, longer range, and more affordable electric cars hit the market,” said Lucien Mathieu, a transport and e-mobility analyst at T&E.

“That is good news, but the job is not yet done. We need governments to help roll out electric vehicle charging at home and at work, and we need changes to car taxation to make electric cars even more attractive than polluting diesel, petrol or poor plug-in hybrid vehicles.”

The electric vehicles sector has even attracted the luxury sports carmakers which are planning and launching electric powered cars also. A £2m all-electric “hypercar” – the Evija, was launched this week by Lotus which is owned by Chinese firm Geely. The top speed of the car is more than 200mph or 322km/h. And a similarly-priced electric hypercar – the Battista was launched in March by Automobili Pininfarina. The luxury car makers jumping into the electric bandwagon want to spread the message that electric cars can not only be environmentally important but also can be glamorous and exciting.

(Adapted form BBC.com)

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