Government needs to do more to speed EV uptake

A poll of 2,000 adults found 63% consider the retail price to be the biggest downside of EVs. Just 15% of those who don’t own an EV are ‘likely’ to make the switch within the next 12 months – but 60% would be more inclined to go electric if the vehicles were cheaper.

THE Government should be doing more to encourage the switch to electric vehicles (EV) – by offering consumer grants, according to a new study

A poll of 2,000 adults found 63% consider the retail price to be the biggest downside of EVs.
Just 15% of those who don’t own an EV are ‘likely’ to make the switch within the next 12 months – but 60% would be more inclined to go electric if the vehicles were cheaper.

The study revealed a groundswell of support for the Government’s pledge that all new cars and vans will be required to be ‘fully zero emission at the tailpipe’ by 2035 – with 45% backing the plan.

But just 21% of all adults think the strategy will be successful – 55 per cent don’t think the promise will be fulfilled and 25% are on the fence.

This comes after Fiat launched its own electric car grant, Fiat E-Grant, offering £3,000 towards the all-electric 500e and 500e convertible.

Damien Dally, Fiat UK managing director, said: “EV ownership has increased significantly over the last decade, however, demand is starting to plateau and there is still apprehension among those who’ve yet to go electric.

“As our study shows cost is the biggest stumbling block for consumers, which won’t have been helped by the Government Plug-in Car Grant ending 12 months ago. We are committed to helping people make the switch, that’s why we launched our own grant.’’

The study by FIAT also identified other areas consumers feel require investment from the Government in relation to EVs. These include charging infrastructure (59%), battery plants in the UK (45%), and tax subsidies (38%), while 22 % believe there should be more money spent on educating as many people as possible on EVs.