9:47 am, December 6, 2013
APPROXIMATELY 79 per cent of UK drivers believe the government should be doing more to make alternativelly- fuelled powered vehicles more affordable.
Results from Auto Trader’s latest survey of 3,000 motorists for its latest Owners’ Guide revealed that 74 per cent think the government should be doing more to publicise the benefits of alternativelly-fuelled vehicles.
As a result high costs and weak promotion, 87 per cent of those surveyed said they were not surprised that electric car sales remain low.
According to Auto Trader, 89 per cent of drivers would like their vehicle to be environmentally friendly if they didn’t have to pay extra, making cost the main barrier for increasing sales.
Similarly, a further 80 per cent said they have not seen a single electric vehicle charging point within five miles of their home and manufacturers have admitted that a lack of charging points is “directly impacting sales”.
Minimal charging points coupled with the relatively limited driving range of electric vehicles, motorists are reluctant from buying an electric car.
Jonathan Williams, group marketing director at Auto Trader, said: ‘The good news for car manufacturers as revealed in our Owners Guide is British motorists are taking an interest in electric vehicles – when made aware of the benefits and cost savings. However, we’re still a long way from convincing motorists to make the switch.
‘Put simply, going green is not currently an attractive package; UK motorists are being asked to make huge compromises on aesthetics, investment of their time finding and charging their vehicle – it’s no wonder why on top of all of these factors a higher up front purchase price is too much of an ask.’
The added: ‘Therefore, despite a £400m investment and a further £500m on its way in 2015 from the Government, motorists are still lacking information on costs, efficiency and effectiveness of owning electric vehicles – and, simply, choice. Clearly not enough is being done to incentivise both manufacturers and consumers.’
