Millions of drivers have ‘no immediate plans’ to buy an electric car
New data has found that three in four drivers have no plans to buy an electric vehicle with costs being named as a key barrier for many motorists, especially families.
Research revealed that roughly 5.8 million parents have no “immediate plans” to buy an EV as drivers remain concerned about the upfront cost and charging issues.
Research by insurance provider Admiral highlighted that two out of five parents are put off by electric vehicles because of the time they take to charge.
According to the insurer, charging a car takes the same time as helping kids with homework and other household chores at around 42 hours.
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Two in five parents remain hesitant about purchasing an EV
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Another barrier flagged by parents was the worry that a car would run out of battery while the children are in the car as passengers.
This fear was raised by two in five parents who still remain hesitant to buy an electric vehicle, especially while costs remain high.
Meanwhile, over a third of parents are worried about the availability of charging points when out with their kids.
Admiral explained how nearly half of parents (49 per cent) are put off choosing an EV for a family car due to the initial purchase cost with a further 29 per cent concerned about the running costs.
However, the insurer suggested that parents could buy a second-hand family EV for around £5,000.
When it comes to charging costs, Admiral has estimated that around 80 per cent of EV drivers can get access to a discounted home charger through Government grants which can help reduce the overall costs.
Drivers who charge at home on average see annual costs reach £680 compared with £1,470 for a petrol or diesel car.
Clare Egan, head of motor product for Admiral Insurance, said: “It’s understandable why busy parents may think choosing an EV as their family car isn’t right for them.”
Egan explained that “fears have been fuelled by misinformation for too long” and that range, charging and costs have “come a long way” in the last few years.
She added: “There is work to be done to help doubtful parents cut through the mass of information and sort the facts from fiction – exactly what our report aims to do.
“An EV isn’t going to be right for every lifestyle just yet, but it seems that many parents have been put off them unnecessarily. All electric cars can be ideal for families and they don’t release any direct emissions, which contribute to air quality.
“At Admiral, we know that peace of mind is extremely important, so our comprehensive policies have benefits specific for EV drivers including cover for batteries, charging equipment and wall boxes and out of charge recovery to give parents one less thing to worry about.”
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There are currently nearly 60,000 charge points in the UK
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Dan Caesar, CEO of the Fully Charged Show, explained that for parents worried about charging when out with the kids, “not only has there been impressive growth in charge point installations,” but there is also strong growth in ultra-rapid chargers and in charging hubs with six or more devices.
There are nearly 60,000 charging points across the UK with the Government handing local authorities funds to install more.
