58% of car buyers would consider going electric within two years

A survey commissioned by Chargemaster, a supplier of electric vehicle charging points, has revealed that more than half of new car buyers (58%) would consider choosing an electric car in the next two years.

The survey of 1,032 people across the UK also found that three-quarters of those in the 25-34 age range would consider purchasing an electric vehicle – no surprise there, as younger folk are less resistant to change. And unsurprisingly, a huge 81% of Londoners were positive about the notion of going electric. The city’s massive urban sprawl is arguably one of the most ideal environments for an electric vehicle.

But while the survey’s findings are encouraging, we have also seen recent surveys that indicate that the high cost and limited range of pure-electric vehicles is still a big obstacle when it comes to the take-up of EVs. Having said that, a recent questionnaire by TheChargingPoint.com found our arguably more EV-literate readers were mostly concerned about purchase price, rather than range. 

Prices will come down over time as more and more EVs come to market, but that’s not going to happen overnight.

The Chargemaster survey also found that the lack of a national charging infrastructure was a concern for 83% of the survey participants and would negatively affect any decision to go electric. And in London, 91% reckon that a more comprehensive charging network would positively affect their EV buying decision.

This, in spite of the fact that in electric vehicle trials, the vast majority of charging was achieved at home overnight.

Still, the momentum behind electric vehicles really is gathering, and while there is scepticism from the usual suspects, the might of the auto industry is committed. A flurry of plug-in vehicles are going to hit the road in the next year-and-a-half, with mainstream models coming from the likes of Renault, Vauxhall, BMW, Ford, Audi, Volvo and others.