Aston University and Fleet Evolution in EV perception study

Fleet Evolution is working with Aston University on a research project to investigate drivers’ perceptions around electric vehicles (EVs).

The research, which is open to anyone, including fleet and transport managers, company employees, drivers and private individuals, will be published in the new year when participants will be sent a copy of the report on request.

It is looking at current perceptions around electrification and is designed to gauge views on electric cars and charging infrastructure, as well as looking to highlight gaps in current product ranges and charging networks. 

Fleet Evolution founder and managing director, Andrew Leech, said: “There are still plenty of misconceptions around EVs, particularly the availability of charge points and the extent of the charging networks.

“One respondent said that there were no public chargers near his location, but when I Google mapped it, there was a 50kw charger just a three-minute walk away.”

He continued: “There is still a general lack of knowledge about EV charging, the costs involved, the ranges that can be driven and the costs involved.

“We hope this study will highlights some of the misconceptions around EVs and help increase awareness and knowledge around the process of going electric, and we will be publishing the results to help that education process.”

The study will examine whether participants’ cars are currently powered by petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric or hydrogen, and asks how many miles are typically driven, including how many times a single journey over 150 miles is made.

It also looks at the likelihood of a new car buyer selecting an electric car as their next replacement vehicle and investigates the reasons why people hesitate to select an electric car, including range anxiety, cost, performance, availability of public charging and ease of home charging.

To find out more about the survey click here.