Boom in EV demand catches car makers off guard

A surge in EV demand is reportedly catching carmakers off guard, leaving buyers of popular electric models facing waits lasting months. The article connects the issue to a broader shift: earlier in the decade, many firms scaled back expensive EV plans after predictions failed, following the momentum created by early Tesla-led hype. Now, some markets appear to be seeing the opposite problem—underestimating real-world EV buying as fuel prices push consumers toward cleaner alternatives. In the UK, EVs accounted for 30% of new car sales in August, and combined EV plus plug-in hybrid share outpaced petrol and diesel. The piece argues policymakers should avoid weakening zero-emission mandates.