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.

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.