In today’s car market, drivers have a lot of choice when it comes to engine types, each with its own pros and cons.
But with fuel prices on the rise, electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular than ever and a study by CarMats.co.uk shows over 1 in 6 (17%) of Brits will choose an electric car when they next upgrade because it’s cheaper to run.
A report by the Competition and Markets Authority revealed that increased retail fuel margins cost drivers over £1.6bn in 2023. This might explain why 1 in 6 drivers are choosing an EV for their next car, with many saying it’s because they’re ‘cheaper to run’.
But while there’s growing interest in EVs because they’re cheaper to run and better for the environment, the initial cost is still a hurdle for many as 2 in 5 Brits admitted they would buy an electric car if it was more affordable.
Cost isn’t the only thing putting Brits off adopting an EV, however, as 34% of drivers said inaccessible charging points and the possibility of running out of battery on the road prevents them from upgrading to an EV.
Despite the date of the petrol car ban drawing closer, and growing concern about the state of global warming, only 1 in 10 Brits think the date of the ban should be brought forward.
Millennials, however, expressed a stronger desire for an immediate ban on petrol cars, with 1 in 6 showing their support for such a measure.
