New research has found that 32 percent of motorists say they never intend to buy an electric vehicle, regardless of the incentives they are offered. A further three in 10 said cutting the upfront cost of EVs was the most important factor when encouraging drivers to switch to electric.
The data, from Auto Trader, found that drivers were urging the Government and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to unveil a package of measures to boost support for EVs.
Many drivers have called on Mr Hunt to offer generous financial support to help drivers switch, similar to the Plug-in Car Grant that was scrapped last year.
According to Auto Trader’s latest “Road to 2030” report, a new electric vehicle was 36 percent more expensive than a petrol or diesel equivalent.
One of the UK’s most affordable and most popular EVs – the MG ZS Electric – cost almost £8,400 more than its conventionally-fuelled equivalent at £25,465.
A market shift over the past five years, with a growing consumer preference for SUVs and also a bigger share of EVs for sale, has also pushed up the average cost of a new car overall by £12,000 to over £39,000 over that time.
A further 11 percent of drivers called for a scrappage scheme to be introduced to get rid of older, more polluting petrol and diesel vehicles.
Motorists were also keen to see cheaper public electric car charging, with seven percent backing the move to help them switch.
At present, public charger rates are significantly higher than private users can find, particularly when using off peak rates.
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VAT is also charged at 20 percent on public charging points, compared with a VAT rate of just five percent for those able to charge their cars at home
Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader, said it was “extremely worrying” that a third of drivers say they will never switch to an EV.
This is even more important given the Government’s aim of banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in less than seven years.
He added that the market suffers from a lack of affordable electric vehicle models, further hampering the choices for drivers.
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Mr Plummer continued, saying: “There are also concerns over the charging network too.
“If we want to deliver on ambitions for a greener, fairer society then ministers should be ready to use the tax system to incentivise drivers to make sure they achieve their goals – and cutting 20 percent VAT on public charging would be a good start.”
Electric cars are typically £87 cheaper per 1,000 miles than other petrol and diesel counterparts.
However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is widely expected to extend last year’s 12-month 5p a litre fuel duty cut, further increasing the appeal of petrol and diesel.
Auto Trader’s survey revealed nearly half – or 47 percent – would resist going electric even after a rise in fuel tax.
The Chancellor announced in November’s autumn statement that electric vehicles will also become liable to vehicle excise duty from 2025, further reducing their financial benefits to drivers and dampening potential demand.
This was in contrast to previous years when the Government encouraged switching by offering various financial incentives.
Many in the EV industry have criticised the Government for scrapping the Plug-in Car Grant in 2022, which enabled drivers to claim up to £5,000 off the price of a new electric car.
Some have called on the Chancellor to bring such incentives back to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
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