Demand for electric cars falls to lowest level in four years – Share Talk

Only 13% of drivers intend to purchase electric vehicles, marking a challenge for Labour’s net zero goals.

Interest in electric cars has dropped to its lowest point in four years, with more drivers opting to stay with petrol vehicles.

According to the Department for Transport, only 13% of drivers are considering a fully electric car for their next purchase.

In contrast, the appeal of combustion-engine cars has grown, with 37% of motorists planning to buy a petrol vehicle, an increase from 31% the previous year.

This trend poses a challenge to Labour’s goal to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel cars by the end of the decade.

The 13% of drivers thinking about an electric vehicle purchase is the smallest percentage since summer 2020, when electric cars were less accessible.

This figure has fallen from 16% last year and a high of 19% in summer 2022. Interest in hybrid vehicles has also declined.

Current data shows about 30% of drivers are now looking at hybrids as their next car, down from 35% in 2022.

Among those considering hybrids, there is a shift towards older, non-plug-in models that primarily use internal combustion engines.

The Department for Transport’s Future of Transport program routinely polls the public on their views regarding technologies like electric cars, autonomous vehicles, and e-scooters.

The most recent survey, conducted at the end of last year, indicates increasing skepticism towards electric vehicles.

Many cite the high initial cost of electric cars, but there’s also a notable rise in concerns about ongoing operational expenses. About 30% of drivers now see this as a drawback, up from 18% in 2022.

Rising electricity rates coupled with decreasing fuel prices have led to a situation where motorists using public charging networks for their electric vehicles (EVs) may end up paying up to double per mile compared to those driving petrol cars.

Despite Labour’s commitment to reintroduce a 2030 ban on the sale of petrol-powered cars, EV sales are lagging significantly behind the government’s targets.

This comes as a new YouGov poll, commissioned by rental marketplace Turo, reveals that half of Britons have no plans to ever purchase an EV.

The poll, which surveyed 2,000 individuals, found that 49% do not foresee switching to an EV. High costs were cited as the primary deterrent, followed by insufficient charging infrastructure, concerns over driving range, and lengthy charging times.

Additionally, 47% of those surveyed are against the government’s proposal to reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales. Instead, the majority wish for the government to prioritize fixing potholes and reducing fuel prices.