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Fewer than half of drivers are currently willing to embrace EVs because of concerns over affordability and charging.
That’s the headline conclusion of the latest Road to 2030 report from Auto Trader, which highlighted the barriers to mass adoption of EVs as the 2030 deadline on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles approach.
Its research, based on a poll of 4,000 drivers across the UK, reveals 47% of drivers consider that owning an EV would fit in with their lifestyle.
Over half, 56%, of drivers consider EVs too expensive, with 47% worried over a lack of charging points.
Despite the average household only needing to plug in once a week, two-fifths of drivers believe they would have to charge their cars every three days.
It said the affordability barriers are underlined by the shrinking of new EVs on sale for less than £30,000, with just nine models now compared to 11 at the end of 2022.
Auto Trader’s report reveals a circa 23% contraction in second-hand electric prices over the past 12 months.
Softening prices is helping consumer demand for used EVs to rocket on Auto Trader, increasing nearly 70% year-on-year.
Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, said: “There is still much more work to be done to achieve a mass transition to electric vehicles before the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel models and ensure no driver is left behind.”