New survey reveals swing to EVs
More than half of Britain’s car buyers are now considering an electric or a hybrid vehicle as their next car.
This is according to new car buying platform What Car?, which surveyed 12,029 in-market buyers and found that 59.06% said they are considering an electrified powertrain when choosing their next vehicle.
The results come after the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle registrations had risen by 157.0% and 67.7% year-on-year, respectively.
According to What Car?’s research, the majority of electric vehicle purchases in the future will depend on the government continuing the current Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), with 53.55% of buyers telling What Car? the current grant will directly influence their decision to go electric. The current subsidy is worth up to 35% of the vehicle’s purchase price, with a maximum available grant of £3,000.
Alongside cost, which remains a barrier to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle ownership for 74.07% of in-market buyers, EV infrastructure was a concern for 29.99% of buyers, while 25.54% felt electric vehicles still do not deliver enough range to suit their driving requirements.
Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: “With a potential ban on the sale of engined cars looming from 2030, it is great that a majority of car buyers are already looking to make the transition to an electrified vehicle.
“However, our latest research shows the need for continued Government support for electric vehicles. Despite registrations surging and new models arriving in greater numbers, purchase price remains a concern for more than a quarter of all buyers.
“The government has supported the technology through its early days, with growing registrations a testament of the success of car makers making attractive vehicles, but it’s clear the sector still needs help to continue this growth in the current market.”
