Study finds UK drivers concerned over the price of electric vehicles
A new study from global IoT connectivity firm Eseye has found that 80% of UK drivers are concerned about the price of electric vehicles.
The poll found that the biggest factor under consideration when UK drivers are deciding to switch to EVs is the price with 65% stating this. The second biggest influencing factor was around environmental concerns (62%), with 45% admitting that the recent petrol crisis had bought this into even sharper focus, influencing their decision to buy an EV.
Eseye commissioned independent research company, Opinion Matters, to poll 1,114 UK drivers from across the UK in October 2021. Additionally, the research looked at demographics such as age, gender, and how this affects attitudes towards adoption of EVs.
Over half of respondents cited performance (54%) and legislation about moving to EVs by 2030 (54%) as additional key influencing factors, with 80% of respondents said that price was the top concern when looking to lease or own an EV.
The same amount of respondents also said they were concerned about the availability of EV charge points, and a further 78% said they were anxious about the longevity of EV battery technology.
Two thirds (75%) of those surveyed also raised concerns around charge point connectivity, and 72% also listed the time of charging as an off-putting factor.
Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye, said: “It is interesting our poll found that the closer UK drivers get to switching to EVs, the less they are concerned about environmental issues and the more they are concerned about performance, price and the overall charging infrastructure and experience. Therefore, educating people who are further out from buying an EV on these aspects could potentially influence their decision and accelerate the switch.”
The survey revealed mixed views on charging experiences. The majority (59%) find that charging points are relatively easy to use, compared to 34% who find the process complicated. Over a quarter of respondents (33%) find that public charge points are not always available when they need to recharge.
The poll found that environmental concerns, the recent fuel crisis and climate change legislation was more of an influencing factor for women than men, while price was more of an influencing factor for men (67%) than women (63%). However, running costs were more of a concern for women (67%) than men (60%). Surprisingly range anxiety was more of a concern for men (73%) than women (68%).
Earle concluded: “Transport is now the largest sector for UK greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to zero-emission vehicles is therefore vital to realising the UK’s net-zero ambitions. Sustainable mobility is not something that will happen in the future — it is happening now. However, we must educate UK drivers around not only the benefits, but provide the reassurance that the infrastructure, the charging network and the management tools are in place and ready to support their transition away from fossil fuel-based vehicles.”
