In the UK, as in many other countries, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has been swift. Incentives, a broader selection of options, and positive public relations have contributed to electric car sales reaching nearly 500,000 vehicles in 2025, accounting for around 24% of the market. However, the government's budget proposal in late November, which introduced new charges for EV owners, may have hindered this momentum.

Rechargeable batteries are great for storing energy and powering electronics, from smartphones to electric vehicles. In cold environments, however, they can be more difficult to charge and may even catch on fire.

Manufacturers that cannot meet the UK’s 2025 target of 28% of new car sales being EVs may simply stop selling petrol or diesel vehicles rather than risk fines. In the meantime, Chinese EV brands have been recruiting dealerships and showing off their latest models. Chinese cars can offer consumers a combination of low price, good specification, innovative design and technology that is often more advanced than that of “legacy” companies.

This means we will need to rethink how we get around – leaving the car-based model – rather than seeking to replace one kind of technology (the combustion motor) with another (the electric motor).