Polling of non-EV drivers reveals that many remain ill-informed about electric vehicles (EV), suggesting misinformation is dissuading them from switching.
Among views it discovered that less than a quarter (23%) recognise that petrol cars are more likely to catch fire than EVs, and 46% incorrectly thought the opposite.
The new poll by YouGov for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that, when asked if ten separate statements about EVs were true or false, over half (51%) of non-EV drivers scored 2 or less out of 10 right, with 84% getting 5 or less right. Just 5% scored 8 or more out of 10.
A Lords committee report on EVs published in 2024 described a “concerted campaign of misinformation” around EVs. Not only does polling reveal the negative impact of this misinformation on people’s understanding of EVs and the realities of EV ownership, it shows the extent to which it is dissuading them from making the shift to EVs.
The polling found those scored poorly in the test – 2 or less out of 10 – are more than 17 more likely to want their next car to not be an EV. Those who score well – 8 or more out of 10 – are three times more likely to want their next car to be an EV. Those scoring well are almost 14 more likely to want an EV.
Previous polling on the same questions in 2024 suggests that petrol car drivers’ misunderstanding of electric vehicles is getting worse in some areas. In 2024, 41% thought that EVs are more likely to catch fire than petrol cars, but this has risen to 46%. In 2024, 35% of non-EV drivers inaccurately thought that the total lifetime emissions of an EV are the same as a petrol, which has now increased to 40%. Both these views are false.
In 2024, 45% of people inaccurately thought that more natural resources are extracted from the earth to build and fuel an EV than are extracted to build and fuel a petrol car. In 2025, more than half (53%) of non EV drivers now inaccurately believe this view.
Commenting, Colin Walker, Head of Transport at ECIU, said:
“It is no surprise that sales of EVs in the UK continue to rise, since poll after poll finds that EV drivers love their cars and wouldn’t go back go back to petrol. But a constant stream of misinformation is skewing non-EV drivers’ knowledge of EVs. With two-thirds not knowing that EVs are cheaper to own and run than petrol cars, it’s clear that many are holding back from making the shift to EVs, leaving families across the UK stuck driving petrol and diesel cars that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds more to run right in the midst of a cost of living squeeze.
“The UK is a front runner when it comes to making the shift to EVs, meaning the nation’s driving bill is coming down faster. The Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is increasing competition between manufacturers and bringing down the upfront cost of new EVs – some new EVs, such as the Renault 5, are now cheaper to buy than their petrol equivalents. This is driving up sales which will, in turn, feed the second-hand market where most of us buy our cars. Second-hand EVs are already at price parity with petrol cars, meaning families across the UK are able to start enjoying savings from the moment that they get their hands on the keys.
“The latest instability in the Middle East is once again illustrating how using oil to power our cars leaves the UK’s drivers exposed to international markets over which we have no control – even with new drilling, North Sea production is so small that it has virtually no impact on prices. While petrol car drivers face paying higher prices at the pump, EV drivers will continue to be able to drive their cars for as little as 2p per mile”.
Perran Moon MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on EVs, said:
“Electric vehicles are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to own and run over the lifetime of the vehicle than petrol or diesel cars. So, it’s no surprise that growing numbers of Brits are going electric. But what this polling shows us is that many drivers of non-EVs are still misinformed about some of the most basic facts about electric vehicles.
“The more misinformed you are, the less like you are to make the switch to an EV. Two years ago, the House of Lords environment committee warned that misinformation was a major barrier to the EV transition. Now, we need to see robust action from the government, industry, and media to dispel the myths of misinformation and to ensure that drivers are equipped with the facts when deciding on their next purchase.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
