New Survey Figues Reveal Just 19 Percent Of UK Drivers Want An EV
Last week, The Telegraph reported the proportion of Britons planning to buy an electric or hybrid vehicle fell for the first time since Covid
The article states, in part:
It raises fresh concerns over the Government’s 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
Only half of those looking to buy a vehicle in the next two years would now consider a “green” model, based on a survey of purchasing intentions, down from 59pc in 2024.
By contrast, the proportion of people intending to choose a petrol or diesel car has jumped to 41pc from 36pc, according to the survey by EY.
Petrol and diesel vehicles are now twice as popular as battery-electric alternatives, which are preferred by just 19pc of buyers, down from 23pc in 2024.
Full story here.
The key stat is in that last paragraph – only 19 percent intend to buy an EV, as opposed to hybrids.
None of this is surprising. EVs are still unfit for purpose, unless you can charge at home and only use as a city run around.
The survey was carried out in September and October, in other words before the Budget announcement of pay per mile charges for EVs.
The Telegraph reported this telling comment:
Ms Bengtsson (EY’s head of automotive for the UK) said the Government faced a “very real” challenge in persuading the average person to embrace EVs after a relatively small number of well-off drivers spurred initial demand for Teslas and other high-end models.
She is correct. It is predominantly the well-off who have benefitted from taxpayer subsidies, both for new car rebates and avoidance of fuel duties and vehicle tax. (It is the same argument for solar panel subsidies on roof tops).
Many of those Tesla households own two cars, so get the best of both worlds. But when it comes to Joe Public, what is in it for him? He can’t afford an extra ten grand to buy an EV and he may not even have off street parking.
The Telegraph also report on the announcement by Kemi Badenoch at the end of last week, that the Tories would ditch the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars if they win the next election.
Editor’s note: what’s the betting that if they did win, they would just say the ‘climate crisis’ has got much worse, so they need to keep the ban.
This is particularly welcome news, as there is opposition in her own ranks about diluting anything to do with ‘net zero’.
With the EU on the verge of delaying their ban from 2035 to 2040, the current government is keeping the UK out on a limb.
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