Half of motorists hope government will improve EV affordability

Half of motorists say the government should do more to make EVs affordable, according to the new Startline Used Car Tracker.

35% believe action should be taken to make EVs easier to buy, 34% believe money should be put towards charger provisions and 26% expect power to be cheaper.

29% suggested that they would choose an EV as their next car if there was reassurance from government support while only 4% suggested their next car will be electric regardless of whether action is taken by the government to make EVs more affordable.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “The research shows that there is a ready market for electric cars but that cost is a worry for motorists – whether that means buying the vehicle, getting a charger, or paying for the power needed – and they want financial help to make the move away from petrol and diesel.

“It appears there is a definite feeling out there that the government could do more to support people who want to make the switch to electric, something that echoes comments made by motor manufacturers and trade bodies in recent months.”

However, the Used Car Tracker also found that 12% of people said there is no incentive that would make them buy an EV and 11% say the government is already doing enough.

“This perhaps isn’t really a key issue for most voters but it’ll be interesting to see whether any action is taken in this area by whoever gains power at the general election, which will take place within a few months,” said Burgess.

He added: “These figures are interesting in themselves. From the media, you could get the impression that there is widespread resistance to the idea of buying an electric car but the research shows that only about one in 10 people feel that way.”