The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said these factors had led to it downgrading its market share forecast for EVs from 19.7 to 18.4 per cent for 2023.
Its latest outlook for 2024, meanwhile, suggests that 22.6 per cent of new car registrations will be an EV, a downward revision from the 23.3 per cent forecast in January.
Demand fell last year as the average cost of charging an electric car soared by more than a fifth as electricity prices rose amid global turmoil in the energy markets.
A 2021 study also found that the installation of chargers needs to increase by five times the current rate if the plan to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 is to be achieved.
The SMMT said that new zero-emission vehicle mandates, greater and faster investment in infrastructure, and more incentives to encourage purchase are “essential” to drive consumer confidence and accelerate uptake.
Some progress is being made, however, with ChargeUK, a...