Drivers reluctant to adopt electric vehicles, Venson Automotive Solution survey finds

Almost half of drivers (47%) do not envisage running an electric car for at least 10 years, if not longer, according to a survey from Venson Automotive Solutions.

The research found that 15% of respondents said they will be definitely make the switch to an EV or hybrid vehicle when they next choose an alternative company car or purchase a vehicle.

Of the 200 people surveyed, 38% said that they will consider an EV within their options when they next purchase a car, and 28% confirmed they have no intention of doing so for the next 10-15 years. Almost one in five (19%) said they refuse to switch until there is no other option available to them.

Alison Bell, a director for Venson Automotive Solutions comments:  “The UK Government’s (Road to Zero) plans to increase the number of zero and ultra low emissions vehicles on the roads, along with its pledge to ban the sale of cars and light duty vans with internal combustion engines by 2040, are bold, but must be supported by the industry and the general public equally.

“Clearly more needs to be done to make information relating to the ownership costs of an EV more readily available. This was an overriding conclusion of the survey we conducted last year, so it’s disappointing to learn that it still needs addressing.

"Fleet managers, car retailers, manufacturers and insurers all have a part to play in achieving this. 

"Only one in 10 company car drivers said they lacked clarity in terms of EV as a company car option, suggesting that a clear communication strategy in terms of the benefits of an EV for an employee, is making headway in promoting knowledgeable ownership.”

While charging and mileage range remain the biggest deterrents for motorists when making a decision about EVs, one year on after Venson's previous survey there is less of a concern about these matters. The number of people concerned about limited mileage fell from 61% in 2017 to 45% in 2018.

The only EV concern to grow year on year was ‘safety concerns regarding the battery’, but this remains one of the smallest deterrents for would-be owners.