There’s no denying that driving an automatic car is much easier than driving a manual. Having the car change the gears for you? That makes driving a doddle! And yet, the majority of drivers in the UK still drive manual cars.
But, will this always be the case? Read on below as we discuss the likelihood of automatic transmission being the more prevalent of the two in the near future.
Statistics of Current Auto vs Manual Drivers
As it stands, manual cars still currently account for approximately 70% of all cars on UK roads. However, statistics show that more and more new drivers are shifting to automatics when learning to drive.
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show that there has been a 163% increase in tests that were taken in automatic vehicles in 2018-19 since 2011-12. Although more tests are still taken in manual vehicles, this jump suggests that there is a shifting attitude towards driving automatic transmission, especially amongst younger people.
Furthermore, research by Dayinsure found that the number of UK drivers with an automatic-only licence has risen by 25% since 2019, whilst those with a licence that allows them to drive any car has only risen by 0.6%. The stark difference in these numbers suggests that more and more motorists will be choosing to drive automatic in the future.
The 2035 Ban on New Petrol & Diesel Cars
One of the key influences that will factor into the likelihood of automatic transmission gaining more traction is the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars. As part of their commitment to becoming net zero by 2050, the UK government originally planned to ban the production and sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, though this has since been pushed back to 2035.
As such, all new cars that will be sold on the market from 2035 onwards will be electric (with the exception of hybrids), the majority of which are automatic. This means that you can still drive petrol and diesel cars, but only if they are bought second-hand.
This gradual phase out of fuel-powered cars and rise in electric cars will naturally cause manual driving to become redundant.
Of course, most people can’t afford to buy a brand new car outright, so won’t necessarily be buying the new electric vehicles that will be on the market. However, with the personal contract purchase (PCP) and lease options widely available nowadays and a popular choice with many drivers, it is still likely that these automatic electric cars will be driven by many drivers throughout the country.
Automatic Transmission Specialists
With the popularity of automatic cars looking to grow exponentially in the near future, there will subsequently be much more demand for mechanics who specialise in automatic transmission. Whilst this will all happen in due course, if you already drive an automatic vehicle, then you already require such specialists.
Thankfully, we can help here at The Clutch & Gearbox Specialists. Based in Bournemouth, we offer a range of automatic transmission services alongside our manual transmission services, including automatic gearbox repairs and rebuilds.
If you live in Dorset and could benefit from our services, then be sure to get in touch with us today.
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