A new survey from Go.Compare Car Insurance found that cost is the main barrier stopping drivers from getting an electric vehicle.
In light of the government’s 2030 and 2035 EV targets, the comparison site asked motorists whether they were planning on buying an EV in the next five years.
Over half of the respondents (57.9%) stated they weren’t thinking of making the switch to electric any time soon.
Out of those not looking to buy an EV, 55.8% placed cost as the top deterrent. Currently, the average price of an EV is around £50k, with the cheapest models averaging around £30k.
However, this is too expensive for the majority of drivers, according to the Go.Compare survey. An astounding 71.3% stated that they’d need EVs to cost under £25k in order to invest in one.
This is far below the current prices, which raises questions over the accessibility of EVs ahead of the phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles, as electric tech remains unaffordable for most.
A secondary barrier to buying an EV, placed as the top concern by a fifth (20.2%) of motorists, is real-world range. Currently, the average estimated range of EVs is around 212 miles. This comes down to an average of 148 miles for the cheaper models.
In order to get an electric car, 47.3% stated that they’d want a real-world range of over 261 miles. Although some EVs can accomplish this, these models aren’t available for the £25k price tag drivers are willing to pay.
Despite this, some of the government’s EV incentives, such as the exemption to Vehicle Excise Duty, are coming to an end.
The UK market is one of the most lucrative in Europe and the drive towards zero emission motoring has attracted the attention of Chinese car makers who have more experience of evs than many other countries.
It has a number of new to Britain car makers waiting to launch with what many say are more affordable models but their technology is also advanced and one brand is said to be preparing a small and keenly priced car with a range of about 620 miles between recharges. Their arrival will seriously hit the legend brands which have been slow to introduce evs into their showrooms.
Outside the car makers control is the slow spread of high power charging stations and the fact that many drivers do not have private parking but rely on kerbside parking and there are no charging points close to them.
Welsh Government has admitted there is only one lamp-post charging point in Wales.
Cardiff Council has also admitted to charging its fleet of electric vehicles through a diesel generator.