UK drivers favour electric vehicles, says EY report
A new report has revealed that nearly six in 10 car buyers would prefer to buy an electric vehicle next.
According to EY’s latest Mobility Consumer Index 59% of motorists planning buy a new car in the next two years would prefer to get either a full electric vehicle or a hybrid.
This is up from 54% in last year’s survey.
The report found that nearly a quarter (23%) are more likely to opt for a BEV, up from 19% last year, while 27% plan to purchase a hybrid. Meanwhile, 10% would choose a plug-in hybrid and interest in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles has dropped from 41% last year to 36%.
Environmental concerns were the number reason for 35% of consumers going electric, followed by high fuel prices (31%) and increased penalties for ICE vehicles (27%).
Electric vehicle sales
David Borland, EY’s UK and Ireland automotive leader, said. “Consumer interest in petrol and diesel vehicles is falling rapidly, which is crucial to supporting the UK’s transition to EVs, especially with the government’s 2030 ban on ICE sales looming.”
However, there has also been a rise in motorists citing high prices as the reason for not getting an EV, rising from 36% last year to 37%, although charging concerns have fallen from 37% to just 23%.
Maria Bengtsson, head of mobility at EY UK, said:
“While the UK is making progress on EV adoption, challenges remain, particularly around charging infrastructure and battery replacement costs. Policymakers, manufacturers, and retailers must collaborate to address these concerns and ensure a smoother transition to EVs.”
