Survey reveals top reasons drivers would go electric

Low running costs are one of the biggest draws for people buying an electric car, according to new research.

Figures from a YouGov survey commissioned by SMMT show UK adults would be more likely to buy an electric car for reasons including low running costs (51%), cheap or zero car tax (46%) and purchase incentives such as government’s plug-in car grant (36%).

However, despite seeing the benefits only 13% of those in the market for a new car said the next vehicle they buy is most likely to be alternatively fuelled.

The most common reasons not to choose an electric vehicle were linked to charging and financial outlay, with 48% worried they wouldn’t be able to find an available, working and compatible charge point; and 41% stating they were put off by higher than average purchase prices.

Tim Payne, CEO of InstaVolt, said: “It seems that ‘range anxiety’, the fear of not being able to charge up, is still a key deterrent holding people back from going electric. We are hoping to eliminate that rock in the road by installing more than 3000 rapid chargers across the UK by 2020.”

Unlike many other providers, InstaVolt’s ‘open charger’ model allows anyone to use its charging points on a pay-as-you-go basis. The 50kW rapid charging units can provide an 80% charge in just 30 minutes and are listed on popular website, zap-map.com, so they are easy to locate.

Tim added: “With companies like ours working to increase the number of chargers available to EV drivers, we hope there will be even greater reason for consumers to switch to electric.”

The figures unveiled by the SMMT this week coincided with a display of the latest low emission vehicles in front of London’s Tower Bridge. 26 vehicles from 16 different brands took to the streets to underline the diversity and appeal of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) now on sale across the UK.

Transport Minister, John Hayes, said: “Alternatively fuelled vehicles help clean up our environment and save motorists money in day-to-day running costs, and I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to have a look at some of the vehicles available to UK drivers today. We are working with determination to get more people switching to low emission vehicles.

“Our Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill published this week, will make sure the right infrastructure – such as electric charge points and hydrogen refuelling stations – is in place for this growing market. We’ve committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to increase electric vehicle uptake and support greener transport schemes. This includes £290 million, announced in the Autumn Statement, to support electric vehicles, low emission buses and taxis, and alternative fuels.”