Range anxiety remains a big issue for drivers of electric vehicles (EV).

Fundamentally it now revolves around the charging infrastructure in the UK.

Negative charge

In the new research by Zenith, one in four report public charge point availability was worse than they expected.

However, it also finds that just 15% regularly use their electric car for longer trips – more than 60 miles. This means the vast majority are taking short journeys, where public charging is not required.

The majority (61%) of drivers choose to primarily charge off-street at home, with only 9% using the public charging network as their main energy source.

These findings are published in The EVXperience Report from Zenith, which also shows that satisfaction levels among the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) drivers is overwhelmingly high.

Furthermore, four-fifths (86%) of EV drivers would stick with an electric vehicle (EV) over a petrol or diesel vehicle if they had to make the decision again.

Disconnected

When asked to rank the number one worst thing about the EV experience, 22% responded that it was limited range. It was the most popular answer.

A similar number (21%) ranked the need to plan for where to charge away from home. Another 21% pointed to an unreliable charging network as the worst point.

Almost a quarter (24%) found charging availability worse than expected, though 45% found it as expected and almost a third (31%) better than expected.

Drivers state they want to see more stations at convenient locations, for example at supermarkets. Meanwhile, dedicated EV hubs are also popular, as well as having stations at their workplace, according to the report.

However, the vast majority (86%) are confident that charging infrastructure will improve on UK roads over the next three years.

Electrifying experience

Tim Buchan, Zenith’s CEO, says: “Whilst we all know about the perceived benefits of going electric, very little research has been done to date on the actual experience of driving an EV. That’s why we wanted to launch The EVXperience report; so that we can understand the issues faced by EV drivers and make changes to support them.

“What this has really driven home to me is how much people enjoy electric vehicles when they make the switch.

“It’s no surprise that take-up in the UK has reached unprecedented levels over the past few years.”

Buchan believes that the Government deserves credit for helping nurture this demand. However, he added: “I see a real danger if this is allowed to falter.

“The lower costs associated with EVs is the overwhelming factor for switching from petrol or diesel that EV drivers single out. Now is the time to ensure that even more drivers recognise EVs as an affordable option.

“For instance, the report suggests that the early adopters of EVs are skewed towards homeowners who can charge their vehicles in their driveways.

“As this balance shifts to include those in flats or with parking on the street, the need for convenient and cost-effective charging will increase.”

Saving money, and the environment

The cost of public charging increasing over recent months as energy prices have risen. Home charging, however, remains a good value option for customers, according to Zenith’s report. A driver who fully charges an electric car with a 64kWh battery (from 0% to 100%) at home pays about £22.

“We are calling on Government to remove VAT on public charging points,” continues Buchan.

The research found that, while environmental motivations often dominate the headlines for encouraging EV uptake, cost savings are actually the biggest motivating factor for drivers.

Almost half (47%) of company car drivers and almost a third (31%) of salary sacrifice drivers said that cost savings were the best thing about the EV experience.

For those with a personal lease vehicle, 30% said that low running costs were the best thing.

Environmental benefits instead came in as the second most common response.