Young motorists confound ‘boy racer’ image with EV preference

Young motorists confound the ‘boy racer’ image with their preference to EV, according to the AA.

Of the 16,502 asked, those aged 24-34 are the most likely to own one while those aged 55 and above were least likely to.

AA’s president Edmund King said: “This may confound the ‘boy racer’ image that older people may have of young drivers. 

“Although overall numbers are still low, it shows that young drivers are taking an interest in new car technology – despite the fact that three-quarters (76%) are concerned about the high purchase price of EVs. 

“But even that compares with 84% of older drivers concerned about price.”

The AA-Populus study showed that for those who don’t own an EV, the main reason is a lack of charging stations, the cost of buying an EV and battery durability.

“In reality, these concerns are evaporating much more quickly than perhaps most people realise,” said King.

“It seems that young drivers certainly ‘get’ the concept of electric driving and our research consistently showed that it is older drivers who are putting up concerns that simply don’t exist. 

“In fact a third of respondents overall (33%) say they have no understanding of EVs.”

“The fact is the average journey length in the UK is just 8.9 miles4 and for most families, an EV is the ideal economical and practical solution for a second car at least.

“New vehicles are coming on stream with much higher practical range (200 miles will soon be very much the low end) and there are hundreds of new public charging points being installed every month.

“Government incentives are designed to not only contribute towards the cost of a new EV but also for the cost of charging points at homes and work places5.

“Young drivers are most likely to want to charge their car at work (nearly a third, 32%, of 18-24 year olds say so compared with 11% of 55-64-year-olds). 

“Firms can get grants towards installing charging points and doing so demonstrates a commitment to the fast-changing automotive technology.”

“Our study clearly showed that if such points were installed in residents’ parking places, it would bring down an immediate barrier to ownership for those living in flats for example, who otherwise find it difficult to charge their cars.

“EV ownership has been growing rapidly but is still a long way from widespread public acceptance, given that registrations of plug-in vehicles recently passed just 100,007. 

“Initiatives such as the new Chargemaster-sponsored multi-brand Electric Vehicle Experience Centre in Milton Keynes will help break down the perceived barriers but it is clear that young drivers are the most enthusiastic adopters of the new world of electric driving.”