2035 too soon to switch to EVs, says car buyers

Nearly half of motorists are still not ready for a 2035 switch to electric vehicles, with higher purchase prices and charging concerns holding buyers back.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on the government to commit to significant long-term incentives for electric vehicle purchase and binding targets on charging infrastructure.

The SMMT says that EVs are rapidly growing in popularity, with demand more than doubling over the last year as a result of industry investment worth some £54 billion in 2019 alone. Over the last year, the number of plug-in hybrid and full electric models has leapt from 62 to 83, with more scheduled for launch in the coming months.

A survey from the motoring group confirms keen interest from consumers in this technology with drivers most attracted to the lower running costs (41 per cent) and chance to improve the environment (29 per cent). However, while these cars now account for one in six models on sale, they make up just one in 13 purchases.

The biggest factors holding buyers back are higher purchase prices (52 per cent), lack of local charging points (44 per cent) and fear of being caught short on longer journeys (38 per cent). While a third are optimistic about buying a full EV by 2025, 44 per cent don’t think they’ll be ready by 2035, with 24 per cent saying that they can’t ever see themselves owning one.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Car makers are leading the charge to zero emission motoring, with massive investment in new models fueling huge consumer interest but they can’t transform the market alone. To give consumers confidence to take the leap into these technologies, we need government and other sectors to step up and match manufacturers’ commitment by investing in the incentives and infrastructure needed to power our electric future.

“Manufacturers are working hard to make zero and ultra-low emissions the norm and are committed to working with government to accelerate the shift to net zero – but obstacles remain. Until these vehicles are as affordable to buy and as easy to own and operate as conventional cars, we risk the UK being in the slow lane, undermining industry investment and holding back progress.”