ITV Tonight 7.30pm Thursday 3 September ‘Electric
cars: are we ready?’
Almost half of all drivers (47%) say they will consider
buying an electric vehicle when they next change their car,
according to an exclusive poll of 17,628 drivers* for the
AA.
The poll coincides with an ITV Tonight show presented by EV
guru and car expert, Ginny Buckley, to be aired at 7.30pm on
Thursday 3rd September with input from AA president,
Edmund King.
Women were more likely (49%) to say they would consider an
electric car than men (46%). Across age groups, respondents aged
65+ were significantly less likely (43%) to consider an electric
car when they next change their car than all other age groups
(18-24; 60%, 35-44; 56%, 55-64; 48%).
Respondents living in London (56%) were most likely to
consider purchasing an electric car as their next vehicle, as
were AB social groups (54%).
The most common reasons for NOT wanting an EV were:
-
Lack of public charging points, with nearly 7 in 10 (69%)
stating this as a reason. Regionally, respondents living in
Wales were most likely to say that lack of public charging
points was a barrier to buying an EV (74%) compared to all
other regions.
-
EVs are too expensive (67%).
-
66% worried about ‘range anxiety’ or battery
range.
AA members were then asked about their level of agreement
with a range of statements about electric cars. The top three
most agreed with statements (excluding ‘don’t know’) are as
follows:
1. Electric cars are too expensive (89%)
2. Charging an electric car takes too long (72%)
3. The national grid won’t be able to cope if we all switch
to electric cars (63%)
Men were more likely (90%) than women (87%) to agree that
electric are too expensive.
Across age groups, respondents aged 55+ were most likely to
strongly agree that charging an electric car takes too long
(37%).
Respondents were then asked to select up to three scenarios
that they think would encourage drivers to buy an electric
vehicle in priority order.
1. If an EV cost about the same as the equivalent petrol or
diesel (47% top three, 26% highest priority)
2. More rapid charging ‘hubs’ with facilities on the
motorway network or the outskirts of towns where you can charge
your car (41% top three, 13% highest priority).
3. More charging stations at places like supermarkets,
leisure centres & shopping centres (41% top three, 10%
highest priority).
The ITV Tonight programme covers many of these
issues.
Edmund King, AA president, who
also contributes to the programme, said: “The automotive world is
going through a radical transition with more change likely in the
next decade than in the last hundred years. We need to help
drivers overcome perceived myths about EVs and charging. It is
incredibly encouraging that almost half of drivers will consider
an EV for their next car. Our AA breakdown data also shows that
EVs are more reliable, but when breakdowns occur they are similar
to breakdowns on conventional cars with tyres, wheels and the
12-volt battery accounting for about one third of
problems.
“The AA is also proud to be a founding partner of the first
World EV Day** (9 September). This should
provide opportunities for individuals, fleets and businesses to
find out more about the switch to EVs. We need to take every
opportunity available to extol the virtues of EVs and continue to
dispel some of the myths.
Ginny Buckley, ITV Tonight presenter and founder of
www.electrifying.com,
said: “Our programme rightly shows us that some
drivers are concerned about the reliability of the charging
network particularly on motorways. From my own experience I know
how worrying it is to turn up at a motorway service area only to
find the charge point out of order and be put at risk of running
out of battery power. Our programme helps outline what needs to
be done to enable the driver to move to a zero-emission
future.”
Planning for the future the AA has developed its EV
expertise, including having the largest group of EV Level 2
trained technicians in the UK, and is now looking to ensure it
can support the infrastructure accompanying EV vehicle adoption.
As an example, the AA has partnered with several electric
charging and energy companies, such as with SWARCO eVolt, to
providing even greater assurance and support for EV drivers. As
part of this managed services offer, drivers will be supported if
they need help at a charge point, or in calls about both the
electric car and electric charging infrastructure.
ends
Notes to editors:
*Populus received 17,628 responses from AA members to
its online poll between 11th – 18th February 2020.
Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by
its rules. For more details, go to www.populus.co.uk.
ITV Tonight will be shown at 7.30pm on Thursday 3
September.
**The AA is also supporting World EV Day on
9th of September
https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom/electric-vehicle#World%20EV%20Day
