Despite concerns about the charging infrastructure and increased electricity costs, drivers have revealed their commitment to an electric future as majority of those planning to switch confirm they will do so before the 2030 deadline.
An AA/Yonder poll of 13,068 drivers showed three-quarters (75%) already drive an EV (2%) or plan to do so in the future (73%).
Of those who are planning to switch, the majority (67%) plan to do so before the ban on new petrol and diesel cars comes into force in 2030.
The keenest drivers, who want to switch within the next two years (5%), equates to around 1.8million drivers.
Young drivers are the most committed to an electric future, with 88% saying they will switch at some point. Drivers aged over 65 are the most likely to say they will never switch (32%).
Many young drivers are now choosing to learn in an electric vehicle, a trend which is reflected in the rise of learners taking the automatic driving test.
In 2021/22 there was the highest recorded number of automatic tests taken, with 242,713 attempts and a pass rate of 41.7%. The previous highest annual total of automatic tests conducted was 202,506 in 2029/20.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “There’s a growing awareness among drivers of the changes the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars will bring about in the general driving fleet.
“Even if drivers want to hold off for more than a year or two, our figures clearly show the vast majority have accepted their driving future will be electric.
“It is absolutely vital drivers are supported to make this change as early on as possible.
“Many young drivers are now choosing to learn in an electric car, giving them a good understanding and working knowledge of these vehicles.
“After that, there needs to be financially viable ways for people to afford electric vehicles, whether that’s through ownership, leasing, or finance. For all electric car drivers there needs to be a widespread, reliable and affordable charging infrastructure which is accessible to everyone. For those without home-charging, we need to see a cut in VAT on on-street charging to make it more equitable and affordable.
“Without these changes to the charging infrastructure, the risk is more people will change their minds and hang onto older combustion engine cars long past the 2030 deadline.”
The AA Driving School introduced electric vehicles onto its fleet in March 2022.
AA Lease offers drivers a flexible way to run an EV without the commitment of ownership: Car Leasing | Personal Car Leasing | AA Lease (theaa.com)
1 thought on “Drivers still committed to an electric future with around 1.8million planning to switch within two years”
‘Many young drivers are now choosing to learn in an electric car’ ? Are there any figures to back that up? If you pass your test in an electric or fossil fuelled automatic car you get the same license. There are many more people learning to drive automatic not because of the environment, but more because they struggle with a manual gearbox and they think it’s easier. If you teach automatic currently you just end up with pupils with less ability, and have tried and failed with a manual. Electric cars won’t save the world, they’ll just create more problems of a different kind further down the line.
Go green and go bust is what they say, cutting the 1% of carbon that we produce in this country will do just that, it will cut 1% of the problem. If you want to make a real difference stop flying, heating your home, wearing new clothes, using electric devices of any kind and go vegan. Anyone willing to do all that? I doubt it.