Have Petrol Vehicles Reached Their Peak?
As we head towards the end of 2024 and begin a new year with new challenges, one of the biggest subjects is the future of alternative fuel.
With EVs, and in particular battery-electrical vehicles (BEVs), becoming more and more common on the road, Auto Trader has made a bold prediction:
2024 will be the peak of petrol and diesel vehicle numbers (ICE vehicles) as emissions targets begin to take effect.
The reasoning makes sense, with the industry dealing with the backlog of vehicles not being sold (or available) during the pandemic and the semiconductor shortage that followed, more petrol vehicles are on the road than ever before.
But as time goes on and more manufacturers introduce new EV models and emissions restrictions take hold, the future of petrol looks like it’s on the downturn.
The new vehicle market is set to grow again in 2025, according to forecasts, which would mark the fourth consecutive year of increasing sales (after a significant dip during the pandemic).
But it does remain below the 2019 peak, and it remains to be seen whether demand for new vehicles will return or whether habits have changed, and replacement cycles have been extended permanently or not.
With fleets carefully considering when and how to go electric with all of their vehicles, the cost combined with range and availability become key considerations.
Have you already made the switch to EVs? And if not, will 2025 be the year?
