Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Autotrader Warns of Two-Tier EV Shift as Survey Reveals Stark Income Gap

Affordability, not driveway access, emerges as the main barrier for lower-income UK drivers.

Overview

  • An Autotrader survey reports 48% of households earning under £40,000 would consider an EV for their next car, compared with 84% of higher earners.
  • Seventy percent of lower-income households have a driveway, yet Autotrader says home charging is not a reliable indicator of EV purchase intent.
  • Nearly two-fifths of lower-income buyers typically spend £5,000 or less on cars, while only about 1% of used EVs are available at that price.
  • Lower-income families are less likely to know someone who drives an EV, reducing social exposure that can support adoption.
  • Autotrader warns millions could be excluded without targeted affordability measures and calls for lower-price choices, transparent battery health data, and practical charging solutions for those without driveways.