Waiting times for new electric cars may have slowed in recent months, but choosing which one you want can still be tricky. This is why we will do all we can at Electrifying.com to help you select the right car to meet your needs. From new and used car reviews to our handy beginner’s guide, this article will help you decide which vehicle you should purchase in the current market.
How long will I have to wait?
According to our research, waiting times currently stand at an average of 21 weeks; this is roughly the same as it was in April, but a staggering 39% (35 weeks) from the peak in October 2022.
Whilst this is due in part to increased stock availability as global supply chains start to ease, we believe that a lack of cars at the more affordable end of the market is leading to consumers pressing pause on purchases.
Which models are available immediately?
For those in the market for a new electric car, there are currently plenty of models in stock to choose from. With manufacturers including Mercedes, Fiat, Skoda and Cupra telling us they have plenty of stock of electric models for customers to drive off the forecourt in a matter of weeks.
Among the companies with free stock is the biggest player in the EV market - Tesla. The company continues to have plentiful availability despite its recent controversial price cuts. There are currently hundreds of its popular Model 3 and Model Ys offered with instant delivery, some with generous packages of options added for no extra cost.
Other cars with short waiting times include the MG4, MG5 and Mazda MX-30l, with some dealers offering delivery in just four weeks. However customers waiting on a new Audi Q4 or DS 3 E-Tense will find they’re waiting for longer than they may expect, with delivery not expected for at least nine months.
What caused such long waiting lists in the first place?
Good question. Last year, electric car owners were facing longer than normal waiting times for two main reasons: an order backlog that predates the Coronavirus pandemic, and the on-going conflict in Ukraine.
The pandemic saw a massive surge in orders for laptops and printers as the global population started working remotely. This wiped out existing stocks and meant that factories around the world were asked to produce more. Except they couldn't because many were forced to close because of the pandemic.
