Electric Vehicle Popularity and Benefits in the UK: A Research Study

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United Kingdom, exploring their increasing popularity and the associated benefits. The research delves into the notion of EVs, highlighting their role in sustainable transportation and environmental protection. It identifies key advantages such as reduced fuel costs, lower emissions, and potential health benefits. Furthermore, the report addresses the challenges faced by the UK in adopting EVs, including limited charging infrastructure and range anxiety. The methodology employed includes both quantitative and qualitative techniques, utilizing primary and secondary data sources. The literature review synthesizes existing research, offering insights into the EV market's evolution and the government's role in promoting EV adoption. The evaluation section assesses the reliability of secondary data, while the reflection section provides personal insights gained from the research process. The report concludes with a discussion of future trends and implications for the UK's transition to electric mobility.

Research Skills and Using
Information

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Research aim..........................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................1
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................1
Notion related with electric vehicles......................................................................................1
Benefits that can be achieved by opting for electric vehicles................................................2
Challenges that are being faced by UK while bringing in electric vehicles within the market
................................................................................................................................................2
Research Methodologies..................................................................................................................2
Summary of Literature.....................................................................................................................3
Evaluation........................................................................................................................................5
Reflection.........................................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................7

Introduction
Electric vehicles also referred to as electrics that utilises one or different motors for the
rationale of propulsion. They are being powered via collector system by the electricity from
different off-vehicle sources or might be self contained with solar panels, electric generator, fuel
cells or battery for conversion fuel into the electricity (Bennett and Vijaygopal, 2018). The
electric car market is growing at faster pace and this can be understood by considering the fact
that near around 164,100 electric cars are running on the roads of UK by the end of the year
2020. In addition to this, more than 373,600 plug-in models that include PHEVs are available.
The rationale for bringing in electric vehicles within the market was to minimise the cost, protect
environment as well as have many more benefits.
Research aim
“ To explore the popularity of electric vehicles along with benefits that can be attained”.
A Study on UK.
Research Objectives
 To explore the notion related with electric vehicles
 To identify the benefits that can be achieved by opting for electric vehicles
 To determine the challenges that are being faced by UK while bringing in electric
vehicles within the market
Literature Review
Notion related with electric vehicles
According to Berkeley, Jarvis and Jones (2018), the EVs they can part of or derive all of
their power from the electricity that is being supplied via electric grid. These are being powered
via electric motors and it is attained by plugging into the grid as well as this must be stored
within the batteries. In addition to this, as such petroleum based fuel are not consumed and
tailpipe emissions will not be produced (Berkeley, Jarvis and Jones, 2018). Electric cars act like
a alternative fuel automobile that have opted for making use of electric motors as well as
controllers for propulsions rather than going for common propulsion methods like ICE (internal
combustion engine).
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Benefits that can be achieved by opting for electric vehicles
As per Chakrabarti (2019), EV have became mainstream which leads to drop costs in
rapid manner and there are distinct benefits that provided to drivers while making switch. In
context of environmental influence, it is better to opt for savings in terms of tax, fuels along with
maintenance of costs. This assists them within saving relevant amount of money. The various
benefits that are being attained by people of UK comprises of eradication of fuel costs
(expensive and prices are ever-fluctuating), minimise car emissions (to prevent pessimistic
impact on the environment), be energy independent (as electric grids will be connected),
different discounts are being offered on the congestion charges, enhanced driving experience and
many more benefits can be attained by opting for electric vehicles (Chakrabarti and et. al, 2019).
The major benefit that will lead United Kingdom to have an asset is better for environment as the
pollution will decline (exhausts emissions), renewable energy and eco-friendly materials for
materials as well as production.
Challenges that are being faced by UK while bringing in electric vehicles within the market
According to Heidrich (2017), there are ample of challenges that are being faced by
electric vehicle manufacturing firm while being within the markets of UK. The initial is there are
restricted number of the charging points which means that it becomes difficult for them to
charge. The other challenge that is being encountered is enhanced range of anxiety due to the
fear that they might not reach to desired journey and even might not have appropriate charging
stations (Heidrich and et. al, 2017). There can be certain problems within the charging stations as
this is a new technology and anything that comprises of power along with the public
requirements must be reliable as well as safe.
Research Methodologies
The research is being carried out through the usage of two different techniques. They are
specified beneath:
Quantitative techniques: This method is being utilised for collection of information
within the close ended system. The rationale behind opting for this method is to gather data
through the usage of graphs along with numbers. This restricts respondents from answering with
the usage of the pre-defined options that are being given to them and cannot give their opinions
with reference to peculiar concept.
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Qualitative Technique: This methodology is accountable for emphasising on having
insight into individual’s opinions as well as ideas. Here, the questions are open ended which
means that as per their thoughts the answer can be written by them. The results will be
interpreted through summarisation as well as concluding inferences that will be attained.
Data collection refers to technique through which information can be gathered for
conducting research in efficacious manner as well as carry out analysis of the findings (Morganti
and Browne, 2018). The methods associated with data collection are specified beneath:
Primary method: This is also referred to as first hand information and this methodology
is being utilised where data will be gathered within initial time. The major sources that are being
used within this case comprises of surveys, questionnaires along with interviews. But this
process for data collection is time consuming along with this reliability will be higher.
Secondary method: This source is accountable for collecting data through usage of pre
existent sources along with materials. In this case, sources that are generally utilised comprises
of census, publications, handbooks, magazines, journals and many more.
With respect to this research, the secondary sources of information gathering will be
used as this leads to save ample of time and along with this relevant information can also be
attained related with the topic. The rationale behind opting for this method or source for
gathering data is pandemic situation that prevails worldwide and also have created a significant
impact on the ways in which research is being carried out.
Summary of Literature
Electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that makes use of one or more than one electric motors
or traction motors for the purpose of propulsion. In this relation, it is analysed that electric
vehicle can be powered by way of a collector system by electricity sourced from off vehicle
sources or can even be self contained with solar panels, a battery, fuel cells, or an electric
generator for the purpose of converting fuel to electricity. Electric vehicles are inclusive of but
not restricted to rail as well as road vehicles, electric aircraft, underwater and surface vessels, and
electric spacecraft. Now, it has been identified that the electric vehicle industry across the world
has emerged as a lucrative prospect for the public at large (Raugei, Hutchinson and Morrey,
2018). Over the course of time, traditional vehicle manufacturing sector came to a halt. This was
further characterised by the evolutions that took place in technologies and innovations that
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emerged in the global market place. This industry has gained massive popularity with the efflux
of time owing to the growing concerns for sustainability. It has been further acknowledged that
the electric vehicle sector emerged during the 19th century. However, it was in the 21st century
that this sector got entitled to the characteristics of an industry. The electric vehicles are largely
being used by people since then. It has led to the increment in the share held by this market in the
global market.
People across the globe have become aware of the need for bringing as well as promoting
technologies that facilitate the prevalence of sustainability in the market place. There are several
benefits of opting for electric vehicles. The first and the main benefit of opting for these vehicles
is that they are usually cheaper to run. In addition to this, the maintenance cost in the case of
electric vehicles is lower as compared to traditional vehicles because they contain less number of
moving parts than the cars run by petrol or diesel. Besides this, it is also acknowledged that the
electric vehicles are better and safer for the environment (Palmer and et. al, 2018). The notion of
electric vehicle has contributed towards resolving the issue of pollution faced by the global
population. Furthermore, these vehicles are not run by virtue of fuel or diesel, they are run by
motors with the help of electricity. Another benefit emerging from the usage of electric vehicles
by the public is the health benefits. This is because of lesser emissions into the air that implies
less contamination of the air with the large number of pollutants that would otherwise have been
emitted by the traditional cars. The greenhouse gas emissions exhibited by the electric vehicles
can further be reduced in case the companies make use of renewable energy sources. It implies
that solar power voltaic system can be put to use during the day time to charge the car rather than
via the grid. Yet another idea is the acquisition of Green Power from the electricity retailer. This
will help the electric vehicle to reduce lesser emissions even when it is recharged from the grid.
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Based on the above figure, it can be said that the government of the UK has decided the
target date for putting an end to the sale of new diesel or petrol vehicles as the year 2040. Till
then, the country will include traditional vehicles. The numbers of charging points for the electric
vehicles within the bounds of the United Kingdom are less. This has restricted the people from
being interested in buying electric vehicles and using it as a source of travel for day-to-day use.
Besides this, even when the electricity for the electric vehicles are all sourced from renewable
energy sources, it cannot guarantee zero carbon solution (Morton, Anable and Nelson, 2017).
There will still be an environmental cost linked to the concept, thus making it a challenge even in
the modern era.
Evaluation
The secondary information that is being utilised is more reliable as accurate as this
enables within having precise understanding related with the research objectives in the clear
manner. Within the pandemic situation that is Covid-1, this is not feasible to opt for primary
sources of data collection. Therefore, with reference to this research, it is more credible and
precise to make use of sources which have been published within different channels or mediums.
This research need ample of relevant facts along with figures for carrying out analysis along with
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interpretation related with the findings. The assets that can be acquired through secondary
sources is that adequate information is available for carrying out analysis of research objectives.
Here, ample of facts have to be considered in order to draw relevant conclusions and for this
reliability can be ensured by making use of secondary sources. The sources which are being
utilised are time consuming but in terms of reliability along with feasibility are apt.
Reflection
With reference to the research topic that is on the electric vehicles within the UK and
benefits that can be attained via a organisation through this have helped me to gain into different
aspects associated with this. I came to know about basics of electric vehicles along with the
rationale that why firms and even organisation have opted for such kind of transportation
options. There are ample of benefits that are being attained by local people, visitors and all the
entities. The critical benefit associated with this is that there will minimise pessimistic impact on
the environment as this will lead to decline the carbon footprints. Along with this, I also found
that while going for electric vehicles within UK there are certain restrictions that are being faced
via people. This involves restricted charging points along with this it is not possible to install
adequate number of options through which at time multiple vehicles can get charged. But I found
that certain aspects can be considered when it renders ample of benefits such as minimised cost,
eradication of fuels and many more. I also found that the experience attained from this learning
was great and this assisted me within attaining ample of knowledge and have insight into
associated concepts.
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References
Books and Journals
Bennett, R. and Vijaygopal, R., 2018. An assessment of UK drivers’ attitudes regarding the
forthcoming ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles. Transportation Research Part
D: Transport and Environment, 62, pp.330-344.
Berkeley, N., Jarvis, D. and Jones, A., 2018. Analysing the take up of battery electric vehicles:
An investigation of barriers amongst drivers in the UK. Transportation Research Part D:
Transport and Environment, 63, pp.466-481.
Chakrabarti, A. and et. al, 2019. Optimisation and analysis of system integration between electric
vehicles and UK decentralised energy schemes. Energy, 176, pp.805-815.
Heidrich, O. and et. al, 2017. How do cities support electric vehicles and what difference does it
make?. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 123, pp.17-23.
Morganti, E. and Browne, M., 2018. Technical and operational obstacles to the adoption of
electric vans in France and the UK: An operator perspective. Transport Policy, 63, pp.90-
97.
Morton, C., Anable, J. and Nelson, J.D., 2017. Consumer structure in the emerging market for
electric vehicles: Identifying market segments using cluster analysis. International
Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 11(6), pp.443-459.
Palmer, K.and et. al, 2018. Total cost of ownership and market share for hybrid and electric
vehicles in the UK, US and Japan. Applied energy, 209, pp.108-119.
Raugei, M., Hutchinson, A. and Morrey, D., 2018. Can electric vehicles significantly reduce our
dependence on non-renewable energy? Scenarios of compact vehicles in the UK as a case
in point. Journal of Cleaner Production, 201, pp.1043-1051.
(Bennett and Vijaygopal, 2018) (Berkeley, Jarvis and Jones, 2018) (Chakrabarti and et. al, 2019)
(Heidrich and et. al, 2017) (Morganti and Browne, 2018) (Morton, Anable and Nelson, 2017)
(Palmer and et. al, 2018) (Raugei, Hutchinson and Morrey, 2018)
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