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Concerns about range, cost and charging infrastructure are the biggest barriers
In 2020 33% of drivers said their next car would be an EV or hybrid, and Kwik Fit found that by 2023 this had risen to 42%
New research shows the proportion of drivers planning to choose a low emission vehicle (either hybrid or fully electric) as their next car has remained static over the last year. In fact, it is now lower than the peak figure seen in Kwik Fit’s annual tracker, despite Labour promising in their manifesto to restore the phase-out date for new petrol or diesel (ICE) cars to 2030.
Since 2020, Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive service and repair company, has been tracking the number of drivers intending to buy an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid. In 2020 33% of drivers said their next car would be an EV or hybrid, and Kwik Fit found that by 2023 this had risen to 42%.
However, after the previous government announced in September 2023 that the ban on sales of new ICE cars would be pushed back to 2035, Kwik Fit carried out further research and found that the figure had dropped back to 38%. A reversal of this policy does not yet appear to have had an impact. Although the Labour party manifesto stated that if elected they would be “restoring the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines”, the proportion of drivers opting for a low emission vehicle as their next vehicle has remained at 38%.
In more positive news for EVs, the number of drivers saying they are going to buy a fully electric car (as opposed to a hybrid) as their next vehicle has risen from 12% last year to 15% in the latest data.
And for those expecting to change their car in the near future, EVs appear even more attractive. One in four drivers (24%) say they intend to change their car within the next year. Of these, the majority (52%) say they will be opting for a low emissions vehicle, with a quarter (24%) saying they will choose a fully electric model. 16% say they will go for a hybrid, with 12% a plug in hybrid.
As well as looking at those intending to switch to EVs, Kwik Fit also tracks the factors that are putting drivers off buying a fully electric vehicle. The biggest barrier remains the perception that an EV has restrictions on range or the inability to travel long distances on a single charge. This is cited by 39% of those who say they are not considering an EV. The next most common concerns are the increased cost of an EV over an equivalent sized ICE vehicle (38%), the lack of fast charging points in the areas they drive and the inability to be able to charge at home (both 36%).
Ahead of the Labour government’s first budget, Kwik Fit’s researchers asked drivers what the impact would be of bringing the ban on new sales of ICE vehicles forward to 2030. Three quarters (75%) felt that the move would put a strain on the charging infrastructure, saying it isn’t ready to cope with a large increase in electric car numbers. 71% said that the government should put financial incentives in place to support people in switching to electric vehicles. Almost half (49%) of all drivers agreed that the decision is important for the UK to meet its carbon emission targets.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “While the overall number of drivers saying their next car will be low emission has remained static, the research shows that those changing their car in the next year are more likely to be planning to opt for an EV. Possibly this is because as drivers’ plans become more concrete and they do more research about the alternatives, they see that an EV is a genuine option for them and are more reassured about some of the factors which were putting them off.
“It is also more likely that as drivers see more EVs being owned by their immediate circle of family and friends they will receive real time information on the realities of ownership. Real world examples from trusted contacts will be highly valuable for people making a decision on their next car. Whatever an individual driver chooses, the UK car parc is going to include ICE, hybrid and EVs for many decades. So irrespective of the powertrain a car has, it’s vital to ensure that it's running as efficiently as possible.”
Kwik Fit provides servicing for all types of vehicle and has one of the largest networks of EV trained auto technicians in the UK. In order to find the range of services offered at their nearest Kwik Fit centre drivers can contact the centre directly. Details of their nearest centres are available at kwik-fit.com.
Note to editors
Sources:
Research carried out by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults 4-8 October 2024 and September 2023 (twice), September 2022, June 2021 and July 2020.
About Kwik Fit
Established in 1971, the Kwik Fit Group is one of the largest independent automotive parts, repair and replacement specialists in the world. Kwik Fit has over 600 service centres across the UK and more than 200 mobile tyre fitting vehicles, making it the UK’s leading tyre, exhaust, brake and MOT specialist. Details of its range of products and services can be found at kwik-fit.com
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
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If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
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Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
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