Electric cars – they’re the future apparently, but new research has found that Brits don’t plan on buying one for almost a decade.
A survey of more than 1,000 drivers carried out by Auto Trader claims that UK motorists intend to wait nine years on average before going electric.
Considering the fact that Brits tend to change cars every two or three years typically, it may be the case that many will own three cars before they buy a plug-in vehicle.
There were many factors behind this delayed uptake but the main reason that kept popping up was a lack of charging infrastructure and the upfront expense of acquiring the vehicle.
Others could be holding out for the technology to become more advanced and for the cars to use more efficient batteries, resulting in a higher mileage per charge. Additionally, more than half (55 per cent) deemed the terminology of electric vehicles to be ‘confusing’.
There seems to be a lack of education around plug-in vehicles too. Almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of the survey sample did not know that the government offers grants for buyers of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles.
The government came in for further flack with 38 per cent of respondents slamming the government’s goal for at least half of new cars sold to be electric by 2030 as ‘unrealistic’.
Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader, commented: “Our research indicates that there are still significant barriers to [EV] adoption, with greater investment in infrastructure and technology needed.
“It’s also crucial that car manufacturers and the government alike ensure that language to describe electric cars is clear and accessible, rather than laden with technological jargon that consumers may find alienating.”
Of course, this survey doesn’t speak for everyone in the UK and there are obviously thousands of people who have dived into the plug-in pool.
Check out our rundown of the five best electric cars available today