Skip to main content

High cost of EVs is the biggest turn-off, UK research finds

A high price tag was the biggest disincentive for majority of over a third (37 per cent) of surveyed motorists when it came to considering buying an electric car, a recent survey run by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk reveals. In second place with 29 per cent was the limited range that electric cars offer compared to conventional, internal combustion engine cars. A lack of charging facilities (20 per cent), concerns about the car’s battery lifespan (11 per cent) and a lack of model choice (three per cent) also co
March 29, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A high price tag was the biggest disincentive for majority of over a third (37 per cent) of surveyed  motorists when it came to considering buying an electric car, a recent survey run by %$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk The Green Car Website false http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/ false false%> reveals. In second place with 29 per cent was the limited range that electric cars offer compared to conventional, internal combustion engine cars. A lack of charging facilities (20 per cent), concerns about the car’s battery lifespan (11 per cent) and a lack of model choice (three per cent) also concerned motorists but to a much lesser extent.

Even with substantial a government grant towards the cost of an electric car or van, price remains the key issue for consumers. With lower price electric models on the way, it is hoped that in the near future, more motorists will feel that an electric car is within their reach and a practical solution.

Related Content

  • Last date for ITS World Congress papers - reminder
    January 6, 2015
    The deadline for the ITS World Congress 2015 Call for Papers and Special Interest Sessions submission is fast approaching. Authors must submit technical, scientific, commercial papers and special interest sessions by 19 January. No extensions will be granted.
  • Bird acquires California-based EV firm Scoot
    June 19, 2019
    Scooter-share firm Bird is to acquire Scoot, a San Francisco-based electric vehicle (EV) company. Scoot began deploying electric scooters in San Francisco in 2012 and has expanded in Santiago, Chile and Barcelona. Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird says the partnership will work toward replacing “car trips with micro mobility options for all”. Scoot will continue to operate under the same name but as a subsidiary of Bird.
  • Uber to redirect focus to bikes and electric scooters
    August 28, 2018
    Uber intends to focus more on its electric scooter and bike business as it says individual modes of transport are better-suited to inner city travel. Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO, believes users will make more frequent, shorter journeys in the future, the Financial Times reports. "During rush hour, it is very inefficient for a one-tonne hulk of metal to take one person ten blocks,” he says. Uber’s Jump electric bikes are now available in eight US cities such as San Francisco and Washington DC, and are
  • Flir webinar training in January
    January 13, 2017
    Flir Intelligent Transportation Systems is offering a 45-minute webinar 19 January, Make your traffic run smoother, more efficient and safer with Flir ITS, which discusses its solutions help to keep vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles moving safely and smoothly. More information and registration is available on the Flir website.