More people than ever are taking their driving test in an automatic car, thanks to the rise of electric vehicles.
In 2008 only 3.8% of all driving tests in the UK were taken in an automatic car.
However, by the end of 2021, automatic driving tests have increased by over 3.5 times to 14%.
Why has this increased?
Many believe that this is due to the increase of electric cars and people’s desire to own one once they have passed.
Electric cars are automatic, meaning if you plan to purchase one, you have no need to take manual driving lessons.
While diesel and petrol cars are not going away any time soon, the Government has said that petrol and diesel cars will not be able to be sold in the UK after 2030.
Due to the rise in automatic lessons and automatic driving tests, the demand for automatic instructors has seen a sharp increase.
How much are electric cars?
The cheapest electric car on the market is £17,000 for a brand new car. However, there is a second-hand market available, but it is rare to see a vehicle that would suit a new driver become available.
Due to this many new drivers are choosing a second-hand hybrid car over an electric car.
The issue with purchasing an electric car is that it is currently not beneficial for first-time drivers due to the price, especially when compared to the Vauxhall Corsa or Ford Fiesta, which are both available as automatic.
Since the cars are still new, the market does not benefit new drivers looking to buy a cheap first car.
More learners are searching for automatic driving lessons in London, and this will help them prepare for when electric vehicles become more readily available. However, this will likely not be for a few years.
You can see more on the story via the BBC here.