The most important factors putting drivers off buying an electric car or van were recharging (40 per cent) the distance travelled on a battery (39 per cent), cost (33 per cent) and lack of knowledge (16 per cent).

The thing most likely to encourage drivers into electric cars and vans was cost (37 per cent), with environmental considerations being only the fourth most important factor at 16 per cent, behind distance travelled on a charge (20 per cent) and recharging (17 per cent).

One curious finding – 0.3 per cent of respondents claimed they already owned an electric car or van, a figure which implies a total UK electric vehicle fleet in excess of 100,000, far higher than the actual number of electric cars and vans on UK roads.

Why should you choose an EV as your next company car?