Are Drivers Switching to Low Emission Cars?

Despite ever-growing awareness of the importance of greener energy, the number of drivers planning to opt for a hybrid or fully electric vehicle has remained static over the past year. In fact, it’s now lower than the peak figure reported in Kwik Fit’s annual tracker.

Since 2020, Kwik Fit has been tracking the buying behaviour of drivers, and specifically those intending to buy a fully electric (EV) or hybrid vehicle. This guide will outline the results of this research, as well as explain the reasons behind the trends.

Government policy for phasing out of ICE cars

When Kwik Fit first started tracking vehicle buying behaviour back in 2020, a third of drivers (33%) said their next vehicle would be an EV or hybrid. By 2023, this had risen to 42%, reflecting the trend towards greener energy and the fact that the sale of new ICE (internal combustion engine) cars was to be banned from 2030.

However, all this changed when the previous Conservative government announced in September 2023 that the ban on the sale of new ICE cars would be delayed until 2035. Additional research by Kwik Fit revealed that the figure for those intending to buy an EV or hybrid vehicle had dropped to 38%.

While the new Labour government has vowed to restore the phase-out date for new ICE cars to 2030, this doesn’t yet seem to have had an impact on buying behaviour. Kwik Fit’s tracker has revealed the proportion of drivers opting for a low emission car as their next vehicle has remained static at 38%.

Trends for fully electric vehicles

Although the buying behaviour trend has stagnated, it’s not all bad news. When it comes to EVs, the number of drivers saying they plan to buy a fully electric car as their next vehicle has risen from 12% in 2023 to 15% in the latest data. This shows a trend towards favouring fully electric vehicles over hybrids.

Better news still comes from those who plan to change their car in the near future. Almost one in four drivers (24%) said they aim to change their car in the next 12 months. Of these, over half (52%) said they will be choosing a low emissions vehicle, with almost a quarter of these (24%) intending to go fully electric.

What’s putting drivers off EVs?

As well as tracking trends for drivers intending to make the switch to EVs, Kwik Fit also looks at what’s holding people back from moving to low emission vehicles. And this makes for interesting reading.

Concerns on EV range

The biggest barrier to EV ownership is range anxiety, or the perception that you cannot drive long distances on a single charge. An EV’s range is largely down to its battery capacity and efficiency of its motor. However, factors such as the weather, how fast you drive, and whether you’re driving in urban areas or on motorways can also affect range.

Range is cited by 39% of those who stated they are not considering switching to an EV. When you compare the distance an ICE car can travel on a full tank of fuel, EVs have some way to go to close the gap.

High EV vehicle costs

While electric cars are often much cheaper to run than similar-sized petrol or diesel vehicles, the up-front purchase cost is generally much higher.

It is this increased cost that presents another blocker to EV ownership. 38% cited this as the reason they aren’t looking to switch to a low emission vehicle in the next 12 months. Such is the level of concern about vehicle prices, 71% also believed the government should put financial incentives in place to support people in switching to electric vehicles. 49% agreed that this decision is important in order for EVs to become more accessible.

Lack of public fast-charging points

Another concern for drivers is the lack of fast charging points available in the areas where they commonly drive. This concern appears to be well-founded, as, according to UK government figures, in April 2024, there were 59,670 public electric vehicle charging devices installed in the UK, with only 11,590 having 50kW of power or above. However, research shows that total installed devices increased by 19,520 compared to April 2023, an increase of 49% - meaning that things are moving in the right direction.

Unable to charge at home

The logistics of being able to charge an EV at home is another factor affecting drivers’ decisions as to whether to purchase an electric vehicle, with 36% of those in the Kwik Fit survey also citing this as a blocker.

Some of the main issues preventing the installation of home EV charging points include access and the installation itself. When you consider that EV charging points must be installed within easy access of your home’s garage or driveway, in order to integrate with your home’s electrical wiring system, it’s easy to see why this isn’t possible for many people.

For those living in older homes, or properties without a dedicated driveway where only on-street parking is available, it can feel impossible to install an EV charging point.

As most home wiring systems were never designed with charging EVs in mind, installing a home charging station may require homeowners to pay for expensive upgrades to their systems - both to support charging, and to comply with electrical safety regulations. Any such installation would also need to be carried out by a qualified electrical contractor.

The future of EV behaviour

Although the trend for new EV ownership may remain static for now, there is reason for optimism. Kwik Fit’s research also shows that those looking to change their car over the next year are more likely to be considering an EV.

Trust is a major factor when making such a significant purchase and, as drivers see EVs being owned by their circle of family and friends, they will start to experience the benefits that EV ownership can bring, such as reduced running costs. This may go some way towards providing reassurance around common concerns.

Kwik Fit - EV servicing with confidence

When it comes to all your EV servicing needs, your local Kwik Fit centre is here to help. We’ll provide a quote based on your vehicle’s age, model, and mileage. And, with over 300 EV servicing locations across the UK, our technicians are highly qualified to carry out the servicing and maintenance on your vehicle.

In the meantime, keep up to date with the latest motoring news and trends on our blog.