NFDA highlights EV barriers

Price, charging infrastructure and battery range are the main concerns for motorists when considering to buy an electric car.

The news comes via a YouGov survey carried out on behalf of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which asked over 2,000 respondents what was the main barrier preventing them from buying an electric vehicle. The NFDA concentrated its research on the 1,419 who owned at least one car.

Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA, which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle dealers in the UK, said, ‘It is vital that the government takes these findings into consideration and continues to actively encourage, alongside the automotive industry, the uptake of electric vehicles.’

For 29% of those surveyed, the price of the vehicle represented the main barrier. Nearly one in four (24%) said that access to charging points – both at home (12%) and during journeys (12%) – was their main concern. Finally, 22% said that the battery range of vehicles was the primary reason preventing them from purchasing an electric car. Other issues included battery charge times, low number of garages able to repair electric vehicles and poor driving experience.

The evidence was used by the NFDA to respond to a Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Committee inquiry about the electric vehicle market and its development.

Robinson continued, ‘It is positive to see that the NFDA’s submission has been published and our concerns are being taken into consideration, we will continue to work with the government to support the introduction of low emission vehicles including electric.’