Electric car drivers split on benefits
A new survey has found that 94% of electric car drivers report lower running costs than petrol or diesel vehicles.
EVA England questioned 2,635 drivers and found that the vast majority of electric vehicle owners have noticed lower running costs since making the switch.
However, the benefits are not being shared equally with 84% of drivers with off-street home charging reporting substantially lower running costs compared with just 32% of those unable to charge at home.
Meanwhile, only 48% said public charging had improved in the last year compared to 69% who said the same thing a year ago, with 42% citing higher prices and reliability issues.
EVA CEO Dr Vicky Edmonds said: “Electric cars work. The people driving them are saving money, they love their cars, and most wouldn’t dream of going back. But there’s a huge catch: right now, the biggest savings are still overwhelmingly going to people who have a driveway and can charge cheaply at home.
“Imagine being told you could save hundreds of pounds a year by switching to electric, only to discover that because you live in a flat or don’t have a driveway, charging your car could cost you more than petrol. Or that you simply can’t afford the car in the first place. That’s not fair, and it’s a huge missed opportunity.”
The survey also found that 38% said recent government announcements and policy changes have reduced their confidence in EV ownership.
Edmonds continued: “At precisely the moment we need to be giving people confidence to make the switch, the constant political back-and-forth over EV targets and new taxes is creating more uncertainty. We should be building on the success we’ve achieved, not giving people reasons to hesitate.
“The demand is there. We need to stop arguing about targets and start making it easier for people to choose electric. That means bringing down the cost of cars and charging, making the public network work properly, and giving drivers confidence that going electric is the right decision for them and their families.”
