Despite fuel price shocks incentivising electric vehicle growth, a lack of confidence in local charging infrastructure is holding back the transition, according to new research by the Motability Scheme.
The Motability Scheme’s EV Transition Tracker found that the proportion who believe EVs are cheaper to run than petrol and diesel has risen by a fifth to 25% in the past six months. 56% feel they are cheaper to fuel, which is up from 47% just last November.
But adoption rates have remained steady at 42% generally, and only 29% for disabled drivers on the Motability Scheme, highlighting a “confidence gap”, the organisation said.
Drivers continue to question whether the UK’s charging network can support them, as nearly two in five (37%) said it was difficult to find charging points in their local area.
This was tied to local authority performance, with 37% believing their council was doing a “poor job” rather than a good one (30%) for installing on-street public charging.
There is also a “postcode lottery” for the rollout of public charging infrastructure. Nearly half of drivers in Greater London (49%) stated their councils are doing well at installing charging infrastructure, compared to just 22% in the South East.
In areas where councils are seen to be delivering visible, accessible infrastructure, people are more likely to consider switching. For example, in Greater London, 56% say they are considering an EV for their next vehicle, compared to just 37% in the South East – highlighting the importance of trust in local delivery.
A strong urban–rural divide is also evident. In the North West, for example, 47% of people living in urban areas believe their council is performing well, compared to just 20% in rural areas across the region.
Together, these trends point to a growing postcode lottery in access to EV charging – raising the risk that entire communities fall behind as petrol and diesel vehicles are phased out.
Andrew Miller, CEO, Motability Operations, said:
“Recent fuel price volatility is starting to shift how people view EVs, with more drivers recognising the cost stability they can offer. But improving perceptions of affordability is only one part of the picture. For many, the decision to switch depends on confidence that charging will be available, reliable and easy to access.
“Our research shows that this confidence is increasingly shaped by local experience. Where infrastructure is visible and working well, demand follows but too many communities – including people with disabilities – are being left behind.
“With the 2030 phase-out approaching, there is a clear opportunity for local councils to ensure the rollout works for all communities across the country.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
