A recent survey conducted by Refused Car Finance has revealed that, despite the push for electric vehicles (EVs) to combat climate change, around two-thirds of non-EV drivers in the UK are not considering making the switch to an electric car anytime soon.
The survey, which was conducted on Tuesday 6 February, 2024, asked consumers who did not currently own an EV if they would consider purchasing one in the future. The results showed that the majority of those surveyed were not open to the idea of an electric car as their next vehicle.
While EVs are marketed as being better for the environment, cheaper to run, and more fuel-efficient, it seems these incentives are not enough to convince UK drivers to make the switch. The main concerns cited by non-EV drivers were the cost of purchasing an EV, the limited mileage capacity, and the availability of charging points in the UK.
According to the survey, the cost of buying a brand-new EV can be higher than other models due to the use of newer and more expensive technology, as well as their production in smaller numbers. However, there are options for consumers to spread the cost through financing or to purchase a second-hand EV.
The survey also found that 61% of drivers were worried about the electric range of EVs, with concerns about spending more time charging their vehicle than actually driving it. When asked about their expectations for the average mileage capacity of an electric car in 2024, 40% of respondents said they believed it would be between 181 and 240 miles, which is in line with the current average of around 211 miles, depending on the make and model.
Another major concern for non-EV drivers was the lack of charging points across the UK, with some drivers worried about not being able to reach a charger before their mileage ran out. While there are currently over 53,000 charging points available in the UK, many drivers are still not convinced that this is enough. In an effort to encourage more drivers to adopt EVs and reach the government’s 2025 Net Zero target, plans are in place to have 300,000 charging points in the UK by 2030.
Interestingly, out of the customers surveyed who already owned an EV, 66.7% said they were satisfied with their purchase and that petrol and diesel options no longer made sense to them. These drivers cited low running costs, zero emissions, and an overall better driving experience as the main selling points of their EV.
The purpose of this survey, conducted by bad credit car finance broker Refused Car Finance, was to gauge drivers’ current attitudes towards buying and owning electric cars. With the 2035 petrol and diesel car ban looming, it is inevitable that drivers will have to make the switch to electric at some point in the future. However, this research suggests that some UK drivers are still not ready to embrace zero-emission vehicles.
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Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.