Just over one in ten (11%) of UK consumers plan to purchase a fully-electric vehicle for their next car purchase, a new study by Deloitte has found.
According to Deloitte’s Global Automotive Consumer Study, this is an increase from last year, when 8% of UK respondents said they would choose a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) for their next car purchase.
Among those planning to buy a new vehicle, however, this percentage rises to 19%, compared to 5% that would opt for a used BEV.
When other EV formats are included, close to half (49%) of UK consumers indicate a preference for some degree of electrification, with 27% opting for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and 11% opting for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Again, the new car market for both HEVs and PHEVs is more attractive than the used car market.
Key concerns
Close to half (48%) of respondents cite driving range as one of their top concerns regarding BEVs, just ahead of the percentage that cited cost (45%) as a top issue.
Other concerns included the time required to charge (43%) and the cost of replacing batteries (38%), while 37% cited a lack of public EV charging infrastructure, and 35% noted a lack of a charger at home.
‘Clear benefits’
“There are clear benefits to switching to an electric vehicle, and it’s encouraging to see the number of consumers considering an electrified vehicle rising from last year,” commented Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte UK.
“However, there is still some way to go to the 2035 Zero Emission Vehicle target, and there remains significant barriers for many consumers to make the switch to electric. Residential charging infrastructure continues to lag, with those without off-street parking at a disadvantage, creating an uneven playing field for consumers.”
Hamilton noted that the UK also needs an “an established and fully functioning second-hand market”, given that just 5% of respondents said that they would be willing to purchase a used BEV.
“Developing the used market will be a significant step in the right direction towards broader EV adoption,” he noted.
The report also notes relatively low levels of brand loyalty among UK car buyers, with two fifths (39%) saying that they would be keen to stick to the same brand when purchasing a new car.
Product quality (60%), vehicle performance (54%), and price (52%) were cited as the most important factors when deciding the brand of their next vehicle. Read more here.
