New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that over a half of young drivers say they are likely to buy an EV (electric vehicle) in the next decade, instead of a conventionally fueled vehicle.
With the end of the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles looming, do the British public have any doubts about electric vehicles or the necessary infrastructure in place? Back in 2019, it was reported that transport was responsible for 27% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Having the public support the development of electric vehicles will be key for the Government’s net zero plans.
Most EVs are not net zero emissions over their lifetime as there are often emissions emitted during the production process. However, they are much cleaner than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. A study by the International Council on Transportation estimated that the emissions released over the lifetime of an electric vehicle was roughly 69% lower than those of petrol cars in Europe. And we all know diesel vehicles produce more emissions!
Everyone loves electric!
We recently read a survey from Peugeot that suggests young adults and even children are highly supportive of EVs. Within this, children recall nudging their parents to invest in electric vehicles instead of the conventional alternatives.
We can see similar trends in the ONS data released in October 2021. Among the 16 – 29 year olds surveyed a huge 52% expressed that they would like to switch to electric within the next 10 years. However, it seems motorists of all ages are now in favour of electric driving! Over 54% of individuals aged 30 – 49 also said they would be likely to buy an EV as their next vehicle.
While the Government plans to ban conventionally fueled vehicles by 2030, it appears some motorists are keen to drive green sooner. One in four drivers surveyed said they would be willing to switch to electric within the next year! Of this, most drivers opted for owning a plug-in hybrid vehicle over an all-electric one.
What would stop the British public from buying an EV?
One of the biggest turn off points of electric vehicles is the price of ownership. Of those who said they wouldn’t want to buy an EV within the next 10 years, over 70% said cost was the main reason.
While the number of registered EVs is almost four times higher than it was in 2015, there are still disparities between local areas throughout the UK. Statistics from ONS show that registered electric vehicles were more common in areas in which people have more disposable income. For example, electric vehicles were more commonly found in Kensington, Chelsea and the City of London. In fact, the top 20 areas for EV ownership were all located in London, the East or South East.
Based on data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), all-electric vehicles are on average 30% more expensive than petrol vehicles. While the upfront costs of EVs remain higher, drivers do save money on running and maintenance costs throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.
Hopefully as EV infrastructure continues to develop we will see a drop in the cost of electric vehicles. The Climate Change Committee has forecasted that the cost of electric batteries will halve before 2030. This will make the upfront cost of an EV similar to a petrol or diesel however, the overall lifetime costs would be roughly 13% cheaper.
What’s more is all plug-in vehicles are eligible for various Government grants, including up to £2,500 off new sale prices and up to 75% off the cost of home charger installations.
That little issue of range anxiety…
The thought of being out without enough range on your electric vehicle to get you home is horrible. While there are now over 25,000 public charge points available, people still seem hesitant to make the switch out of fear of being without. This is loud and clear in the data from the ONS. Of the respondents who said they would be unlikely to switch, over half of them quote lack of infrastructure as a reason.
Out of all of the public charge points in the UK, roughly one in five of them are rapid chargers. These can charge an electric vehicle to 80% in as little as 20 minutes. Of course, the best EV infrastructure was found in the London zones of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Surprisingly towns such as Milton Keynes, Slough, Dundee and Coventry also came out on top for their rapid charge point availability. When looking at all charge points available in the UK, London was the clear winner. Over 30% of UK public charge points are located in London.
While we understand London is a highly concentrated population, who own more EVs, we hope to see EV charge points push across the country. Especially as a third of households in England do not have access to off-street parking – where an EV would usually be charged overnight.
Of course, having a driveway isn’t essential to owning an electric vehicle, but it does make it easier. One positive is that all new homes and offices will be fitted with electric charge points from 2022. This will make it much more affordable and viable for many families to buy an EV.
Cut costs and buy used!
We completely understand that buying an electric car from new can be costly. That’s why EV Sales could be the answer you’re looking for. When you buy an EV from us you’ll benefit from a one month warranty and a car that has only one registered owner. Plus, we will ensure the vehicle is as good as new before it goes out to its new owner.
If you want to buy any of our used electric vehicles, feel free to browse our full stock list. You are more than welcome to give us a call on 01634 914063 should you require any further information. Additionally an appointment can be scheduled to come and see the car in person.
Find us on What 3 Words!
We’re now on What 3 Words! What 3 Words is an online platform designed to help people identify any location in the world. It works by dividing the world up into three metre squares and giving each square a unique three word code. This is often used by the emergency services to help locate people in need.
If your car or phone Sat-Nav keeps directing you to the wrong place, you can now use What 3 Words to find EV Sales!
Just enter the words bowls.taking.hiking on the What 3 Words app or follow the link here.
* All information correct as of 08/11/2021.
