A new study from automotive data experts hpi has revealed that consumers feel they don’t know enough about Electric cars to tempt them to switch.

The study*, carried out in conjunction with Leeds Beckett University, also reveals that over 95% of motorists would feel extremely safe when driving an electric Vehicle. Over two thirds said they would be happy to buy a used EV vehicle.

This news comes the city of Milton Keynes opened the doors the UK’s dedicated electric vehicles showroom.  With specially trained gurus on hand to offer help and advice to shoppers at centre:MK.  Consumer interest in electric vehicles is soaring. The market for alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) saw a record market share of 4.4% in June with more than 10,700 hitting the roads, a rise of 29.0%. Yet while sales continue to soar many motorists admit to struggling to separate the reality from fiction when it comes to EVs.

The study reveals that awareness of the range of EVs is low with a lack of knowledge about charging capabilities and longevity amongst almost three quarters (70%)  of consumers.  Over 60,000 new AFVs have joined Britain’s roads so far this year. The overall used market for electric vehicles has seen gains with residual values increasing by 7 percent this year.

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Fernando Garcia, Consumer Director, at hpi commented:

“Alternative fuel vehicles including EVs and hybrids are growing in popularity year on year but the automotive industry needs to work with the Government to do more to convince people of the benefits and shoot down some of the myths. It’s apparent that consumers feel that they don’t have enough information about life with an electric vehicle. This represents a huge opportunity for the manufacturers to engage with motorists.  It is therefore critical that the OEM dealer network is equipped to address the concerns of the consumer.

With the distances covered by the average motorist being relatively short, fully Electric Cars are well suited to the vast majority of regular journeys.  Plug-in hybrids can also provide a good balance between range and efficiency plus the economic benefits for motorists can be enormous, offering big savings on fuel and tax costs as well as much lower maintenance costs.”

*study surveyed 388 adults in the UK, July 2017.

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