Electric car makers are putting the brakes on UK production because drivers think the vehicles are too expensive

Electric car makers are slowing UK production as the vehicles are too expensive for many motorists.

The UK is now expected to produce 280,000 all-electric cars and vans in 2025, down from previous estimates of 360,000.

The projection means that over the next two years just a quarter of car production will be electric, down from previous projections of more than a third.

In its latest report, the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which provides taxpayer money to makers of zero-emission vehicles, said the “uncertain economy” is likely to push drivers towards cheaper car models for an extended period.

The UK is now expected to produce 280,000 all-electric cars and vans in 2025, down from previous estimates of 360,000 (file image)

It added that the phenomenon is not unique to the UK, with electric vehicle production across Europe expected to hit 12 million, down 1 million from previous estimates.

The slowdown comes as potential buyers see their budgets stretched by the cost of living and inflation.

Falling production threatens to derail a key government plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions as the UK plans to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The APC added that a sales rebound for 2030 is “uncertain” due to ongoing supply chain issues, particularly of lithium, a key ingredient in electric car batteries, as well as political tensions around the world.

The UK’s zero-emission car industry has already begun to slow down as BMW announced in October it would halt production of the electric Mini at its Oxford plant in order to ship operations to China. And Jaguar is yet to announce more details on plans to go fully electric by 2025.

The forecast means just a quarter of car production will be electric over the next two years, down from previous forecasts of more than a third (file image)

Concerns about the cost were raised by the RAC earlier this week, which revealed the average cost of charging an electric car had risen by 58 per cent since last May.

Meanwhile, city councilors plan double-digit increases in parking fees while fighting over cash.

Fees will increase by around 10 per cent from April in areas including York, Southend, Thanet and Waltham Forest. A day pass in Dudley will rise 43 per cent to £5 and charges will rise 29 per cent to £2.20 an hour in the most popular spots in Cornwall.

Local authorities have defended the increases, saying they are under severe financial pressure, but others fear higher parking fees will hit city center businesses.