Lack of infrastructure holding majority back from switching to electric

Less than half say they would consider getting an electric car

Lack of infrastructure holding majority back from switching to electric

Less than half of UK motorists are considering making the switch to buy an electric vehicle with many concerned about whether the infrastructure is ready for the move, new research shows.

A study by Lex Autolease suggests that just 49 per cent of drivers would consider getting an electric car.

A total of 17 million drivers still need convincing before the government’s planned target for all new cars to be zero-emission by 2040.

Related: Man invents electric car battery tech capable of 1,500 mile range

Ashley Barnett, head of consultancy at Lex AutoLease said: “The Government has pledged to eradicate the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which will mean reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, generating more renewable energy and, crucially, ensuring the mass-market adoption of electric vehicles.

“The way we live our lives – and the way we travel around – will have to change radically, but a significant number of drivers remain reluctant to get on board.”

Range anxiety 

Over half of motorists surveyed blamed concerns about running out of battery as one of the main barriers to accepting the new technology.

A total of 40 per cent of drivers said they believed the electric car was too expensive as 22 per cent confirmed they were not sure about the different types of vehicle available.

The survey revealed infrastructure was one of the key reasons why UK motorists have rejected electric cars. 

Half of respondents said they were concerned about access to charging facilities for electric vehicles.

Just over one-third said they had an off-street parking bay where a charging port could be fitted.

Rapid charging bays

A government funding boost will see a further 3,000 rapid charging bays installed across the UK by 2024 as part of a massive £70million Government fund.

The scheme will see a total of 5,000 chargers across the UK as part of a bid to get Britain’s roads ready for electric vehicles.

However, 38 per cent of those surveyed revealed they would still be worried about how long it would take to charge vehicles compared to the simplicity of petrol stations.

Ashley Barnett said: “The upfront price of electric vehicles is often higher than petrol or diesel equivalents, but that gap is closing all the time – and the savings available throughout the lifetime of an electric vehicle mean it’s likely to cost less in total.

 “Where drivers have access to charging facilities at home or work, electric vehicles can fit seamlessly into everyday life.  

“For lower-mileage users who mainly drive in urban areas, there’s simply no reason to delay enjoying the benefits of electric.”

Recent data from the SMMT revealed that electric car sales are on the up.

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    Less than half of UK motorists are considering making the switch to buy an electric vehicle with many concerned about whether the infrastructure is re
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    #187306 Reply
    Steve
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    One thing the average motorist fails to grasp is the overall running costs of any vehicle.

    Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have much lower running costs over the life of the vehicle compared to conventional petrol and diesel powered vehicles. Just a few times that can and do fail or wear out on modern internal combustion engines: catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, turbochargers, exhaust systems, engine management sensors, not to mention regular service items (oil, air, fuel filters), oil, spark plugs, timing belts and/or chains. The fuel (i.e. electricity) is much cheaper and can be found anywhere, whether it be a trickle charge from a domestic socket, fast charge home charging point or destination charger at a supermarket or shopping centre, or rapid chargers at motorway services, and more recently in BP and Shell fuel filling stations. Some companies are even installing them inside kerbside lamp posts when old lighting technology has been replaced by new low power LED technology.

    The electricity has to come from somewhere – but the good thing about electricity is that it can be generated from multiple sources, some almost as dirty as fossil fuels, some much cleaner, or even carbon neutral. Petrol and diesel on the other hand has to be refined from crude oil (a finite resource), which has be to drilled, pumped, stored, transported, refined, stored, transported, etc. before it reaches the forecourt. Many people do not often include the ‘well to wheel’ argument when talking about CO2 emissions. Even electricity from the dirtiest source still ends up being far cleaner when used to recharge an electric vehicle, when compared to petrol and diesel.

    Anyone that doubts the lack of charging infrastructure should check out websites such as Zap Map and PlugShare. There are literally thousands of EV charge points dotted around all over the country, with more being added every month. There needs to be an education process as the average motorist has been so used to seeing large brightly lit forecourts with giant neon signs above them advertising the oil companies. EV charge points can be installed almost anywhere and do not need massive underground fuel storage tanks.

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