Despite huge investment in electric vehicle driving demand, almost half of UK motorists don’t feel ready to make the switch by 2035, a new survey by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed.
The survey suggests that there is a massive industry investment in EVs— some £54 billion in 2019 alone. This has resulted in a rapidly growth in their popularity, with demand more than doubling over the last year.
The SMMT survey by Savanta ComRes found that drivers most attracted to the lower running costs (41%) and chance to improve the environment (29%). But these cars account for one in six models on sale (17%), they make up just one in 13 purchases (8%).
The survey found the biggest factors holding buyers back are higher purchase prices (52%), lack of local charging points (44%) and fear of being caught short on longer journeys (38%). While, encouragingly, a third (37%) are optimistic about buying a full EV by 2025, 44% don’t think they’ll be ready by 2035, with 24% saying that they can’t ever see themselves owning one.
Despite these reservations,SMMT believes most barriers can be overcome with the right strategy. Some key recommendations made by the association for a smooth, sustainable transition to zero are as follows:
1. Government to drive uptake through incentives, including grants for all zero emission-capable vehicles and tax breaks, in place for at least six years.
2. A national strategic plan delivered locally to uplift the number of chargepoints and ensure the right type of chargers are in the right places.
3. Support for local authorities, with guidance on planning permission and technical standards, and a requirement to adhere to national standards.
4. A multi-sector strategy and roadmap with targets for incentives, infrastructure and energy provision, alongside positive consumer messages on all technology choices.
5. All public chargepoints to be available for all users, including rapid and ultra-rapid types, with credit/debit card access and/or network roaming.
6. Progress to be reviewed at regular intervals, with key enabling metrics reported annually to track against plan.
7. A bold strategy to support the UK’s industrial transition, to retain, grow and transform auto manufacturing in the UK and attract new investment, including upskilling the workforce, battery gigafactory investment, supply chain development and strategic R&D investment at a globally competitive level.
Source: SMMT
