Sales of electric cars have more than halved this year, forcing one EV manufacturer - the NICE Car Company - into administration.
Just 156 EVs have been sold in the UK since the start of the year, according to cleangreencars.co.uk.
London-based NICE, which sold the Mega City and was looking to expand its range, had recently opened its second showroom in the new Westfield shopping centre. The firm showcased a Fiat 500 with its electric drivetrain technology at this year’s London motor show.
But administrators were called in last week. Today there was no comment from the NICE press office. A spokesperson admitted that the company was “no longer paying” him. Going Green, which distributes the G-Wiz, is also reportedly suffering from falling sales.
In total there are around 1100 all-electric cars on the road in the UK. Sales suffered after the government and local council wound back incentives for drivers of the vehicles. In June, the City of London reversed its decision to allow EV drivers free parking.
Crucially, both NICE and Going Green have been criticised over the crash worthiness of their cars.
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Re: Electric car sales collapse
Pity the headline wasn't "Electric Shock".
I have been rather fond of these cars and liked the idea of it using electricity providing clean green travel, as long as the electric is from a renewable source, and the recycled approach to it's construction.
On a different note, i didn't like the way electric cars were given a discount (free) from the congestion charge. Remember that word 'congestion', not eco charge. Whereas an electric car would generally be more environmentally friendly and cleaner, it still causes congestion like a petrol / diesel car. Of course to be more environmentally friendly and to reduce congestion which is the point, getting people out of electric cars as well as petrol / diesel cars and onto public transport should have been the goal.
When it's a congestion charge, all cars should pay the same. If it was an eco charge, then electric cars should travel for less, but not free. Also, they should prove they are signed up to an electricity provider who generates electricity in an eco way as they say.
Re: Electric car sales collapse
When the going gets tough, sod the environment.
Re: Electric car sales collapse
Sort of shows who was actually buying these things, rich city bankers and company directors. Fair enough, the environmentalists will say that every little bit helps but in real terms "normal" people just aren't buying them. So what's the point?
I still maintain, refine the current internal engine technology whilst keeping prices sensible and more real people will get on board with the whole eco driving thing.