Is this the end of the manual handbrake?

The prevalence of traditional manual handbrakes has steadily decreased, with a recent study indicating that 91% of new car models now come equipped with electronic handbrakes. The findings, presented in the sixth annual edition of the CarGurus Manual Handbrake Report, highlight a significant shift away from the manual handbrake, leaving only a meager one-in-ten new cars with this feature. Moreover, consumers now have 61% fewer model options compared to just 4 years ago.

In the previous year, CarGurus, the UK's fastest-growing automotive marketplace for purchasing and selling used vehicles, identified Abarth as the lone mainstream manufacturer offering a manual handbrake across its entire range, however, with the recent introduction of the Abarth 500e, there is currently no major brand that maintains a manual handbrake as a standard feature on all its models.

Some popular car models have vanished from this year's list, including the discontinued Ford Fiesta, Ford EcoSport, and Kia Rio. Meanwhile, new versions of the Renault Clio, Renault Captur, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Toyota Yaris have embraced electronic handbrakes.

Suzuki leads the pack, with 5 out of 7 models (71%) offering a manual handbrake, followed by Abarth, which boasts 2 out of 3 models (66%) equipped with this traditional feature. Dacia offers a manual handbrake on half of its 4 models (50%), while Fiat provides it in 5 out of 11 models (45%). Ssangyong offers a manual handbrake in 2 out of 5 models (40%).

Since the inaugural CarGurus Manual Handbrake Report in 2018, the percentage of models available with a manual handbrake has plummeted from 37% to a mere 9%.

While electronic handbrakes offer added convenience, with automatic operation and hill hold functions that simplify hill starts, there are still some advantages to manual handbrakes that certain drivers may lament in the years to come. Notably, in case of repair, manual handbrakes are typically more budget-friendly compared to their electronic counterparts. Repairing an electronic handbrake can be up to three times the cost of fixing a manual handbrake (£220.37 for manual vs. £665.98 for electronic). Manual handbrakes also provide a tactile, mechanical feel that appeals to certain drivers.

What are your thoughts on electronic handbrakes?