British motorists are increasingly considering electric cars, with new research revealing a significant shift away from traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. Yet concerns about driving range, home charging and government policy remain important barriers to making the switch.
Research commissioned by Kwik Fit suggests electric vehicle ownership could grow substantially as motorists replace their existing cars. While 7% of drivers surveyed currently own a fully electric vehicle, 18% say their next car will be electric. Among motorists planning to change their vehicle within the next 12 months, that figure rises to 27%.
The findings point towards growing confidence in electric motoring, although many motorists remain concerned about whether an electric car will comfortably meet their everyday driving needs.
Petrol and Diesel Losing Their Appeal
The change in British motorists’ buying intentions is particularly noticeable when comparing existing ownership with future preferences. According to the research, 59% of drivers currently own a petrol-powered car, but only 30% expect their next vehicle to run on petrol.
Diesel appears to face an even greater challenge. Although 17% currently drive diesel cars, just 6% intend to purchase another. By comparison, fully electric cars account for 7% of current ownership among respondents, against 18% of next-car intentions.
These figures represent purchasing intentions rather than confirmed future sales. Nevertheless, they indicate how significantly Britain’s vehicle market could change over the coming years.
Low-Emission Vehicles Attract Growing Interest
Kwik Fit has tracked motorists’ buying intentions for six years. In 2020, 33% of drivers intending to change their vehicle planned to choose a low-emission model, including electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars. That figure has now reached 44%, the highest recorded in the company’s annual research.
Among the estimated 8.9 million drivers planning to change their car within the next year, 54% expect to choose a low-emission vehicle. Nearly a third of all drivers surveyed, 31%, intend to replace their car within the next 12 months, while the average anticipated replacement period is 22 months.
Range Anxiety: Will We Make It?
Despite growing enthusiasm for electric vehicles, driving range remains one of the biggest concerns for motorists considering the switch. Some 35% of drivers not considering an EV identify restricted range as a reason for their reluctance. However, that represents an improvement on 2023, when 41% expressed the same concern.
Modern electric cars increasingly offer driving ranges capable of meeting everyday requirements. Nevertheless, the distance achievable between charges is only part of the ownership experience. For drivers undertaking longer journeys, particularly through rural areas, the availability and reliability of charging facilities can be equally important.
Consider a hypothetical family journey through the Scottish Highlands, between Fort William and Inverness. Their electric vehicle indicates 32 miles of remaining range, but the next available charging point is 37 miles away. Even if their destination is closer, they must consider whether they can reach a suitable charger afterwards.
The example illustrates why range anxiety is not necessarily about how far an electric car can travel on a full battery. It is often about the confidence motorists have in completing a journey without unexpected difficulties. The distances shown in the illustration are fictional and do not represent actual charger locations or availability on this route.
Home Charging Becoming a Bigger Issue
Perhaps the most revealing development in Kwik Fit’s research concerns home charging. Some 35% of drivers who are not considering an EV say the inability to charge at home is a significant barrier. The concern has risen from sixth place in last year’s research to joint first alongside driving range.
This suggests motorists may be moving beyond general questions about electric vehicle technology and beginning to examine how ownership would work in practice. For households with driveways or private parking, home charging can make electric motoring convenient and potentially economical.
However, drivers living in flats, terraced houses or properties without off-street parking face different challenges. Reliance on public charging can introduce additional costs, journey planning and uncertainty. For these motorists, access to dependable charging infrastructure may be more important than the maximum advertised range of the vehicle itself.
Government EV Policy Creating Uncertainty
The research also suggests that uncertainty surrounding the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate is influencing purchasing decisions. The mandate sets progressively increasing zero-emission sales requirements for vehicle manufacturers, and possible changes to the policy have prompted questions among prospective buyers.
Among drivers intending to buy an EV next, 30% say consultation over relaxing the mandate has made them less likely to choose an electric car. Even existing EV owners are affected, with 25% saying the uncertainty has reduced the likelihood of their next vehicle being electric.
Public opinion remains divided: 36% of drivers support maintaining the timetable described in the research, while 29% disagree. Among current EV owners, support rises to 56%, with only 15% opposing it.
The contrast suggests that motorists already familiar with electric vehicle ownership are generally more supportive of the transition than the wider driving population. Policy targets and consultation status should be checked against the latest Government announcements at publication.
Britain’s Roads Will Remain a Mixture of Powertrains
Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, believes the findings demonstrate how quickly Britain’s vehicle population could change. He points to the consistent increase in interest in electric and hybrid vehicles over the past six years, particularly among drivers preparing to replace their cars in the near future.
However, the research also underlines the importance of balancing government policy with the practical realities facing manufacturers and motorists. Petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles will continue to share Britain’s roads for many years. Kwik Fit says it is investing in technician training and servicing capabilities to support this increasingly varied vehicle population.
ME Verdict: Confidence Matters as Much as Battery Range
The latest research paints an encouraging picture for electric vehicle manufacturers, but it also highlights why Britain’s transition to electric motoring is unlikely to be straightforward. Growing numbers of drivers are considering EVs, and concerns about battery range appear to be gradually reducing.
Yet the increase in anxiety surrounding home charging reveals an important distinction between the appeal of electric cars and the practicalities of owning one. A motorist with private parking and access to affordable domestic electricity may find electric ownership an attractive proposition. For someone relying entirely on public charging, particularly in a rural location, the calculation could be very different.
Vehicle purchase prices, depreciation, charging costs and infrastructure availability all influence the decision. Government policy adds another consideration: motorists making a substantial financial commitment need clarity about the direction of the market.
Electric vehicles are clearly attracting greater interest, but winning motorists’ confidence will require more than improvements in battery technology.
For Motoring Echo, the message is straightforward: the future of electric motoring depends not simply on how far the cars can travel, but on how easily and affordably their owners can use them.
- You can visit the Kwik-Fit website here: http://www.kwik-fit.com/
