UK EV Readiness Index rises 15% in a year
The latest AA has announced that its UK EV Readiness Index has climbed from 47.5 to 60 in the last year.
The increase is attributed to improved affordability, falling range anxiety and greater roadside assistance for electric vehicles.
The AA Index reveals that just 1.2% of electric vehicle breakdown callouts in September were categorised as ‘out of charge’, compared with 8.3% in 2015, while 87.5% of electric vehicle breakdowns are now fixed at the roadside compared with 84.6% of petrol or diesel vehicles.
The data also found that the most common electric vehicle breakdowns were similar to those for petrol and diesel models, with 25% for tyres and wheels and 17% for 12-volt batteries.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “Electric vehicles have reached something of a turning point. There are still hurdles to overcome, but the direction of travel is increasingly positive. One of the biggest fears has always been range anxiety and the prospect of grinding to a halt with a flat battery. The reality on the road is rather different. Running out of charge now accounts for just 1.2% of the EV breakdowns we attend.
“Perhaps even more reassuring is that when an EV does break down, our patrols are actually more likely to fix it at the roadside than a petrol or diesel car. Almost nine in 10 EV breakdowns are fixed there and then.”
He continued: “The next challenge is to make sure the benefits of electric driving aren’t confined to those lucky enough to have a driveway. That is why the measures in the Budget to reduce the cost of local public charging for drivers without home charging are welcome. Combined with the removal of unnecessary planning barriers for cross-pavement charging, these measures can help make the EV transition fairer.
“We have always said the switch to electric should be an evolution rather than a revolution. We aren’t at the destination yet, but the evidence suggests we’re travelling down the right road.”
