Many countries around the world have set phased-in targets for when 100% of new car sales must be zero emission vehicles.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the government is targeting 2035 to ban all sales of new diesel, gas, and hybrid vehicles as part of their goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
A new study commissioned by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a trade association for the local motor industry, shows that nearly half of all UK drivers think that date is too ambitious.
The survey, which was conducted from August 21-24, 2020, found 44% of the 2,185 UK licensed drivers don’t think they will be ready to switch to transition to electric by 2035. A further 24% said they could not see themselves ever owning an EV.
Those numbers could be improved, and probably significantly, as the reasons for their apprehension are ones that could be easily solved in the next 15 years.
Among the respondents, 52% said the main reason was the high price point of EVs. As the technology has developed, the price of EVs has dropped, with the trend only expected to continue into the future.
The next two biggest factors keeping drivers from wanting to make the switch is the lack of charging infrastructure (44%) and the ever-present range anxiety (38%).
To combat these concerns, the SMMT is calling on the government to commit to additional targets on charging infrastructure, and the continuation of grants that provide rebates on the purchase of EVs and hybrids.
Source: SMMT
