New EV study reveals why UK drivers are not switching to electric vehicles
New research shows that many petrol and diesel car drivers have significant misinformation about electric cars.
This lack of understanding is causing people to “hold back the switch” to electric cars, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank, which produced the report.
YouGov’s survey of 1,002 drivers of non-electric vehicles found that 51 percent could only correctly answer two or fewer out of 10 statements about electric vehicles.
Among this misinformed group, only 5 percent said they wanted an electric vehicle as their next car; This is in stark contrast to the 63 percent who scored at least eight out of 10.
One notable misconception that emerged was that 46 percent of drivers incorrectly believed that electric vehicles were more prone to catching fire than cars running on conventional fuel, despite various studies showing the contrary.
ECIU transport chief Colin Walker said: “A constant stream of misinformation is distorting petrol car drivers’ knowledge of electric vehicles.
“It is clear that many are hesitant to switch to electric vehicles, with two-thirds unaware that electric vehicles are cheaper to own and operate than petrol vehicles.
“The latest instability in the Middle East shows once again how using oil to power our cars exposes UK drivers to international markets over which we have no control.
“While petrol car drivers face paying higher prices at the pump, EV drivers will be able to continue using their vehicles for as little as 2p per mile.”
Labor MP Perran Moon, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Electric Vehicles, said: “The more misinformed you are, the less likely you are to switch to electric vehicles.
“We need to see the Government, industry and media take solid action to dispel misinformation myths and ensure drivers are equipped with facts when deciding on their next purchase.”
A report by a House of Lords committee in 2024 accused the then Conservative government of not showing sufficient “urgency” in tackling the “scale of misinformation” about electric vehicles.
The Labor Government has pledged to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030; From 2035, only zero-emission models (usually meaning pure electric) were allowed to be purchased.
Research firm YouGov surveyed 1,002 UK drivers driving non-EV vehicles between November 25 and December 3 last year.
