42% of drivers say next car will be low emission – up from 37% last year

Drive to electric gathers pace but rising electricity costs are the biggest turn off from making the switch

42% of drivers say next car will be low emission – up from 37% last year

New data released today shows that the number of drivers planning to make the switch to electric has jumped in the last year.

Some 42 per cent of those planning to change their car expect their next vehicle to be a low emission model – either hybrid or fully electric vehicle, a Kwik Fit study has revealed.

It’s a significant increase on a year ago, when 37 per cent said they planned to switch to a hybrid or EV.

In contrast, 34 per cent of those planning to change their car said they will opt for a petrol or diesel (ICE – internal combustion engine) next time, with 24 per cent saying they don’t know.

The figures indicate that in the last year, approximately 800,000 additional drivers have decided that they will opt for a low emissions vehicle for their next car.

These drivers will help increase plug-in vehicle registrations from the current figure of one in five new cars in the UK.

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However, there are still many motorists not yet ready to make the switch and Kwik Fit’s research reveals the biggest factors putting people off.

The most common reason given is the rise in electricity costs, cited by 39 per cent of those who are not considering switching to fully electric for their next car.

After the rising cost of electricity, the reasons given most often by car owners for not switching to a full EV are the purchase cost compared to equivalent sized ICE alternatives, concerns over range on a single charge and the lack of fast charging points in the areas they commonly drive.

Of those who are planning to change their car, younger drivers are more likely to be opting for low emissions – more than half (51 per cent) of drivers aged 18-34 say their next car will either be a hybrid or EV, compared to 34 per cent of those over 55.

There is also gender bias – fewer women drivers (38 per cent) say they will opt for a low emission vehicle next compared to male motorists (45 per cent).

There are also significant regional differences in the proportion of drivers planning to make the switch.

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London drivers are most likely to say their next car will be low emission, with 55 per cent planning to switch to either electric or hybrid.

The capital is followed by the South East and West Midlands, where 53 per cent and 51 per cent respectively say that their next car will be low emission.

In contrast, only 30 per cent of drivers in both the North East and East Midlands are planning to opt for an EV or hybrid, with 31 per cent of those in the South West planning to do so.

The cost of living crisis has led to many drivers using their car less.

However, this varies dramatically depending on the type of vehicle.

Of those with an ICE car, 39 per cent say they have decreased the use of their car, compared to the much lower figure of 23 per cent for hybrid or EVs.

The cost of living crisis has had an impact on the motoring expenditure of more than two thirds (68 per cent) of drivers.

After using their car less (36 per cent of all drivers), the next most common consequence is owners saying that they have delayed changing their car and are keeping it for longer than originally planned, stated by one in five drivers (19 per cent).

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In contrast to those keeping their car for longer, almost one in ten (9 per cent) say they have swapped their car for a more economical model.

The figures indicate that many have switched to EVs or hybrids, 27% of those currently driving low emission vehicles say that switching to a more economical model was driven by the cost of living crisis.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “It’s clear that after reaching a tipping point last year when for the first time, more people told us that they were going to buy electric than ICE, the trend has continued.

“It’s understandable that the rise in electricity costs has caused concern among some drivers, but EVs remain much cheaper to run and the long term direction of travel is clear.

“Industry and government must work together to ensure that drives have the confidence to make the switch.

“However, it’s obvious that the car parc of the UK will be a mix of ICE hybrid and EVs for many years to come, so it’s vital that drivers are supported in making sure their car runs as efficiently as possible, whatever type of fuel it uses.”

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