The number of petrol cars on the roads has reached a MAXIMUM this year – a ‘seismic shift’ towards electric vehicles is coming, experts say

A “real milestone” was reached this year with 18.7 million gasoline cars in circulation. And experts say this figure will never increase.

Auto Trader’s latest automotive forecast indicates that the volume of unleaded cars will decline steadily from 2025, falling to just 11.1 million units by 2034, a drop of 40 per cent.

Indeed, a “seismic shift” toward electric vehicles (EVs) will follow over the next decade, as more battery models become available and affordability improves.

The car sales platform estimates that the number of electric cars will skyrocket, from around 1.25 million today to 13.7 million by 2034.

The share of electric vehicles in the new car market will increase from 18% currently to 23% in 2025, according to Auto Trader.

But that figure remains well below the 28 percent sales target set under the government’s aggressive sales targets set under the binding zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

Under current rules, 22 percent of all new car sales must be battery electric in 2024, with the target increasing each year to reach 80 percent by 2030 and 100 percent in 2035.

Carmakers and retailers have expressed fears that the mandate will put jobs at British car factories at risk and put increased pressure on manufacturers as demand for electric vehicles falls due to their high costs.

Concerns have also been raised about the lack of charging infrastructure across the country to support the transition to electric vehicles.

Last week, Vauxhall owner Stellantis announced the closure of its van manufacturing plant in Luton, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, and said the decision was taken against the backdrop of Britain’s “strict” mandate on zero-emission vehicles.

Ford and Nissan have also warned of job cuts in Britain as they seek to consolidate costs.

Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, said: “Peak Oil is a real milestone for the UK.

“We expect a seismic shift in British motoring over the next decade, as the number of petrol cars falls by almost half and electric vehicles take up a much larger share.”

“All of this comes against the backdrop of exceptionally strong demand for used cars despite a series of challenges for the industry, including the introduction of ZEV targets, limited supply, changing financial rules and the budget. “

The group said used car demand continues to be resilient and is expected to increase from 7.61 million sales this year to 7.7 million in 2025, with used electric vehicles becoming more popular as prices fall .

Its data shows the gap between electric vehicles and petrol or diesel vehicles is narrowing, with one in three used electric vehicles on its platform now costing less than £20,000.

A growing number of three- to five-year-old electric vehicles cost the same – or less – than their gasoline or diesel counterparts, he adds.

Motorist demand for new cars has weakened in recent years due to cost of living pressures, with Auto Trader forecasting sales will rise 2 per cent next year to 1.98 million, leaving them still below the peak of 2.31 million registrations. before the pandemic hit in 2019.