EVs on the Invisible Brink: 80% of UK Drivers Won’t Buy One
In a shockingly optimistic poll—for the opposite of it— 80 % of UK motorists are steering clear of electric vehicles. Why? A rising price tag and a government that would rather add extra layers to the hurdle of owning an EV than create a smooth ride.
The Study That Shook the Auto Scene
ChooseMyCar.com’s latest research, aimed at untangling driver attitudes, peels back the layers on cost barriers. The interviewees counted the flickering cost of charging and the looming tax spikes, and the verdict was loud and clear: the road to EV adoption is being blocked by more than just a lack of charging stations.
What the Numbers Really Mean
- 78 % of drivers believe the government must step up its support for EVs.
- Powerful calls came from 70 % who want the government to scrap its planned EV tax, congestion charge and low‑emission zone fees.
- When it comes to household power, 79 % of men and 81 % of women worry that electricity prices will keep them from buying an EV.
- The 55‑plus age group is the most concerned; a jaw‑dropping 84 % said rising costs would shove them off a future EV purchase.
Where the Fear Takes Over
- Sheffield—92 % regrets buying an EV because of current electricity costs.
- Nottingham—88 %
- Liverpool & Southampton—85 % each
- Cardiff, Plymouth & London—84 % each
- Less worried are Birmingham—68 %, Leeds—69 % and Glasgow—76 %.
What the Founder Says
Nick Zapolski, the mastermind behind ChooseMyCar.com, slammed the current state: “EVs are getting dragged through headlines for all the wrong reasons—charging woes lead the chatter. But these concerns are real. Instead of easing them, the government keeps piling up barriers. If we truly want a greener road, we need action now, or EVs will turn into a disaster.”
Bottom Line
Electric vehicles might be the future, but in the UK, 80 % of drivers aren’t ready to jump on that future yet. The fix? A real, tangible push from the government—fuel subsidies, tax breaks, and—touchingly—most importantly—making the pathway to EV ownership a real, not theoretical, dream.
