Charging posts for electric vehicles are more likely to be considered essential property attributes than a good school catchment area, according to new research.
Nearly a sixth (13%) of people polled by the AA Driving School said an EV charging post was an absolute ‘must have’, along with a garage (38%), a driveway (58%) and a garden (60%). A good school catchment was only rated as an essential ‘must have’ by 11% of respondents.
Other environmentally conscious attributes, such as a ground source heat pump (12%) and solar panels (13%), were also on the list.
Older drivers were the most likely to make an EV charging post an absolute essential on their dream property list (15%), whilst those aged 24-to-35 were the least likely (7%).
A ground source heat pump was the most popular ‘environmental’ attribute amongst 18-to-24-year-olds (23% vs 12% across all ages), but this age group were the least likely to say solar panels were an absolute essential (6% compared to 13%).
Mark Oakley, Managing Director of the AA Driving School, said: “We know from running EVs on our driving school fleet, how important accessible charging is to help encourage drivers switch to an EV.
“It is welcome news that from this year, all new homes will be required to have a charging post installed, but for those buying or selling an older property, having one fitted is still clearly an important consideration.
“For many people, their house has to provide accommodation for their car as well as their family. Driveways and garages have always been important considerations, but now, as we head towards 2030 more and more purchasers will look at EV charging when considering a property.”
From March 2022, AA Driving School instructors can choose between the Vauxhall Corsa-e SRi Premium, Peugeot e-208 GT and Peugeot e-2008 Allure Premium.
The driving school’s introduction of EVs could see a carbon saving of more than 1,700 tonnes in one year, with more savings set to follow as the EV fleet expands.
