New research shows that more than 52% of UK drivers are likely to choose an electric vehicle (EV) for their next car, with that number jumping to 75% among drivers aged 18 to 24.
The study, commissioned by CA Auto Finance and released in time for World EV Day on September 9, looks at how EV adoption is growing in the UK, along with the challenges that still exist in fully transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.
Despite growing interest, several obstacles remain. Battery life is a major concern for 55% of drivers surveyed, while 38% worry about access to charging stations, and 37% are anxious about EV range.
The UK government has set ambitious targets through its Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) mandate. These include 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans being zero-emission by 2024. However, some experts believe these goals may be hard to hit.
Still, the study reveals that 79% of UK drivers think government incentives would encourage them to switch to an EV, suggesting that more support might be needed to speed up adoption.
Christian Gorton, marketing director at CA Auto Finance, pointed out that while public opinion on EVs is split, the future of the market looks promising.
“It’s clear that the UK is divided in its opinion on electric vehicles as the overall market continues to evolve, but its longer-term future remains promising,” he said.
He also noted that younger drivers are especially eager to adopt EVs. As prices for new EVs drop, there’s potential for even more growth in the sector.
The second-hand EV market is growing too, with 75% of current EV owners open to buying a used one. However, 31% of drivers are still worried about the resale value of used EVs.
Gorton is optimistic, stating “Demand for older EVs is already increasing as consumers recognise that a 3-5 year old electric vehicle still retains nearly all of its original range and performance. The significant depreciation observed in recent months has created real bargains in the used EV market.”
Environmental concerns also play a big role in the decision to go electric, with 45% of current EV drivers saying they made the switch to reduce their carbon footprint. However, 42% of them also said they need to plan trips in advance due to limited charging infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing need for improvements in public charging.
This research was carried out by Censuswide, surveying 2,001 UK drivers and 500 EV drivers between July 24-31.
