Half of drivers put off electric cars by lack of charging points
Nearly half of drivers are put off buying an electric car because they fear running out of power and being unable to find a working charging point, according to research.
Despite a rise in the number of hybrid and battery-powered vehicles registered in Britain, motorists said they still preferred petrol and diesel models —only 17 per cent said their next car would be an electric or hybrid model.
The survey, by industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, was released as an array of greener cars were lined up for a photoshoot in front of Tower Bridge today.
The UK is the EU’s biggest market for plug-in electric cars, with 36,917 registered in 2016, says the SMMT.
But that is only a tiny share of the 2.7 million new cars registered last year.
The most common reasons not to choose an electric vehicle were linked to charging fears and initial outlay.
Forty-six per cent said they were worried they would be unable to find a working charge point and 42 per cent said there were not enough charging stations near them.
Of the 2,100 Britons surveyed, 260 were Londoners.
