Budget dims buyer confidence in EV switch, says JudgeService

Car buyers are less confident about purchasing EVs following the Autumn Budget, according to JudgeService.

Nearly half (46%) of respondents said they were not more confident about buying an EV while nearly a quarter (23%) said they were more confident.

Neil Addley, MD of JudgeService, said: “The Autumn Budget presented the government with a golden opportunity to accelerate EV uptake, in line with its punitive ZEV mandate targets, by incentivising retail buyers.

“However, while EV company car drivers will continue to benefit from favourable personal tax rates, our poll shows the budget’s commitment to lower VED rates and investment in the charging network are not enough for retail buyers to make the EV switch.”

Incentives to retail EV buyers are limited to a preferential Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate for zero emission vehicles,

In terms of hybrids, 42% of respondents were now less confident about buying one, compared to 23% who said they were more confident.

The budget commitment to investing more than £200m to accelerate EV charge point rollout left 46% not believing the national infrastructure will be adequate by 2030, with 24% believing it will be.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £500m budget pledge of additional funding to repair potholes had 45% of respondents not believing roads will be fixed faster than before. Only 26% had confidence they will be repaired faster.

Overall, 42% of respondents do not think the budget has made them better off while18% believe they are.