Under current plans, the UK expects to have most new cars sold in the country electric by 2030 and be all-electric by 2040. With all that, the rate of adoption of EVs isn’t as promising as it should be, new research points out.
Though the government offers financial incentives for drivers who choose an EV, most Brits aren’t aware of that. They cite the high upfront costs and the lack of a proper infrastructure as the reasons they won’t be buying an EV the next time they change cars.
The average Brit changes cars every 2 or 3 years, but respondents in the research conducted by Auto Trader will wait another 9 years before making the switch, CNET reports. A majority of them weren’t aware of the £4,500 government grant for eligible electric or hybrid vehicles, and only 26 percent of those questioned said they would consider making the switch with their next purchase.
The research, conducted on over 1,000 drivers highlights the importance of more transparency and better communication on the part of the government regarding the electric car policy, but also of a wider, more reliable infrastructure.
“There’s no doubt that electric vehicles are the future,” Auto Trader’s editorial director Erin Baker says. “But our research indicates that there are still significant barriers to adoption, with greater investment in infrastructure and technology needed. It’s also crucial that car manufacturers and the government alike ensure that language to describe electric cars is clear and accessible, rather than laden with technological jargon that consumers may find alienating.”
As regards the need for more charging points, Poppy Welch of zero-emission driving group Go Ultra Low notes that most EVs drivers charge their cars at home. Half of them drive less than 15 miles a day, and an overwhelming 98 percent drive less than 100, which means they’re well within the range of a single charge.
“Drivers making the switch are already reaping the benefits,” Welch adds. “EVs can be driven for as little as 2p per mile, compared with 10-12p for a conventionally powered vehicle, meaning the typical car owner can save hundreds of pounds every year in fuel costs alone. There are also additional savings such as tax benefits and reduced servicing and maintenance costs.”
The average Brit changes cars every 2 or 3 years, but respondents in the research conducted by Auto Trader will wait another 9 years before making the switch, CNET reports. A majority of them weren’t aware of the £4,500 government grant for eligible electric or hybrid vehicles, and only 26 percent of those questioned said they would consider making the switch with their next purchase.
The research, conducted on over 1,000 drivers highlights the importance of more transparency and better communication on the part of the government regarding the electric car policy, but also of a wider, more reliable infrastructure.
“There’s no doubt that electric vehicles are the future,” Auto Trader’s editorial director Erin Baker says. “But our research indicates that there are still significant barriers to adoption, with greater investment in infrastructure and technology needed. It’s also crucial that car manufacturers and the government alike ensure that language to describe electric cars is clear and accessible, rather than laden with technological jargon that consumers may find alienating.”
As regards the need for more charging points, Poppy Welch of zero-emission driving group Go Ultra Low notes that most EVs drivers charge their cars at home. Half of them drive less than 15 miles a day, and an overwhelming 98 percent drive less than 100, which means they’re well within the range of a single charge.
“Drivers making the switch are already reaping the benefits,” Welch adds. “EVs can be driven for as little as 2p per mile, compared with 10-12p for a conventionally powered vehicle, meaning the typical car owner can save hundreds of pounds every year in fuel costs alone. There are also additional savings such as tax benefits and reduced servicing and maintenance costs.”