ELECTRIC car sales are set to surge in 2019 following December registration figures which revealed almost 70% growth in the sector, compared with a 3% decline for the car market overall.
As demand rises, so lead times from order to delivery may grow. Electric vehicle consumer advice website DrivingElectric.com reported that EVs are already often taking a little longer to arrive with customers as global demand for the technology grows faster than for conventional vehicles.
Research by the site shows that lead times for electric cars in the UK typically stretch from 10 or 12 weeks – roughly comparable with standard ranges – to an expected six months for the new Jaguar I-PACE.
Supplies are already low on some models, the Kia Soul – which is due to be replaced by a new model – is out of ‘free stock’ and just a few left in showrooms.
But plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars in the Hyundai range are flagging a four-month wait for delivery – while the Kona Electric has proved so popular around the world that the waiting time is now 10 months.
Audi is promising the same delivery time of 10 – 12 weeks for the e-tron as for its conventional models, when it becomes available this month.
Some manufacturers, however, are offering quicker delivery for their electric cars than standard models, in certain cases. For example, a Golf order takes roughly 14 weeks from placement to delivery while a standard Polo stretches to 20 weeks. But the e-Golf falls between the two, with a lead time of about 18 weeks.
DrivingElectric.com reported that during 2018 the total of all new car registrations was nearly 7% down by November compared with the same period in 2017. But pure electric cars were up by over 10%.
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