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2mo ago

Survey Reveals 22% of UK Drivers Unwilling to Switch to Electric Cars

Drivers cite high costs, infrastructure concerns, and policy confusion as barriers to adopting electric vehicles, despite government incentives and mandates.

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Many drivers are concerned about the cost of EVs compared with petrol cars

Overview

  • A survey of over 14,000 AA members found that 22% of drivers say they will never purchase an electric vehicle (EV), citing cost and infrastructure concerns.
  • Many drivers are confused about the transition to EVs, with misconceptions about government policies, vehicle features, and the future of petrol and diesel cars.
  • The AA has urged the UK government to implement targeted incentives, such as reducing VAT on public EV charging to match home charging rates, and to launch a public awareness campaign to address misconceptions.
  • Under the Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandate, manufacturers must meet increasing targets for EV sales, with penalties of £15,000 per non-compliant vehicle, but concerns remain about insufficient consumer demand.
  • Government efforts to support the transition include a £2.3 billion investment in charging infrastructure, tax incentives, and promoting affordability through cheaper second-hand EVs and new models under £30,000.