More than half of dealers (56%) say that having no charger at home is the biggest objection they hear from customers considering an electric car.
June’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows potential buyers believe electric cars are too expensive compared to petrol or diesel (42%), that the range is too low for their needs (42%) and the battery might degrade quickly (39%).
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “It’s interesting to hear about these issues from dealers because they show how current public perception of electric cars is a mix of real issues and misinformation.
“Having no home charger is a good example of this. If a potential buyer has off-road parking, then the dealer can partner with a provider to get a charger installed. It’s quite easily sorted. However, if the motorist lives in an apartment or terraced house and has no space for a charger, that’s a genuine barrier to adoption, and will only really be resolved by the widespread installation of on-street charging over time.
“Some of the other points raised by consumers are probably also untrue. The used car market now knows that battery degradation is not a serious problem, while with 300-mile-plus ranges becoming common, neither is the distance that the vehicle can travel.
“However, it is salient that EVs remain too expensive for many buyers and there are few practical options under £10,000. That is changing quite quickly though and, over the next couple of years, we expect electric cars to become within reach for more motorists.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker also reported that 38% of buyers are worried about electric cars losing a lot of value, 35% don’t trust the technology involved and 35% say insurance costs are too high.
“Again, this is an assortment of genuine and perceived problems. Insurance costs have risen for electric cars in the last couple of years and values, while now more stable, remain less so than for petrol and diesel cars. However, the technology itself is well-proven and there is extensive evidence to show that actually running an electric car is considerably cheaper in terms of fuel and maintenance.”
Motorists across the UK continue to be charged with uncertainty when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs) according to Bridgestone, with confusion and concern still being expressed over the switch to electrification.
In its latest consumer research, the leaders in mobility solutions found that 40% of drivers remain uncertain about EV adoption, which represents a significant jump from 27% in 2024 and 22% just three years ago.
A total of 27% said that they would never buy one – up 5% in two years – while 53% confirmed that they would be making the switch within the next five years.
Despite widespread conversations around sustainability and lower running costs, the survey revealed that the high upfront cost of purchasing an EV is a leading deterrent for 59% of respondents, up from 42% in 2024 1. Access to charging infrastructure remains a barrier for 62%, though this figure has seen a slight improvement from last year’s 68%. Charging costs are also a worry for 53%, while nearly half (48%) still cite range limitations as a key concern.
Bridgestone’s UK and Ireland, Consumer Sales Director, Drew Chapman, believes the figures underscore the complex challenges still facing the EV transition. “Our research tells us that while the appetite for EVs remains strong, however, the confidence to commit is still not quite there for many ,” he said.
