Research by NFU Mutual, one of the UK’s leading mutual insurers, reveals that 45% of Brits would not consider buying an electric vehicle (EV) in the next 10 years, with battery range, lack of charging infrastructure and charging time among key worries.
The insurer, which offers insurance tailored to electric vehicle (EV) owners, carried out a survey of 1,107 people across the country to discover the public’s views on EVs. The research showed that, despite marked steps towards increased EV use, 45% of Brits still would not consider switching to an EV or hybrid vehicle.
For the UK to meet its targets on EV use and bring about the necessary reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the barriers to EV adoption must be understood and overcome.
Barriers to switching to an electric vehicle
Asked about the barriers to switching to an EV, 58% cited battery range as a concern, another 58% were worried about a lack of charging points, and 44% saw the time taken to recharge as a reason not to switch to an EV.
Data released this month by the Department for Transport (DfT) suggests that the UK still has some way to come to ease these worries.
According to the DfT, there were 30,290 charging devices in the UK as of 1 April 2022. However, only 18% of these were rapid chargers, meaning there are only eight rapid chargers for every 100,000 people in the UK.
Regional disparity
The research by NFU Mutual also reveals a regional disparity in what people see as the barriers to EV adoption, which is backed up by the DfT figures on public charging infrastructure.