The rising price of electricity is disincentivising car buyers from going electric.

In a survey of 2,000 people by Riverdale Leasing, 21% thought the potential of higher home charging tariffs could stop the UK from switching to electric.

Pricing of new EVs is also a continuing obstruction for many, with 20% saying they are too expensive.

Reasons people won't buy an EV

Charged up

Fewer respondents believe that the UK electric grid will be the main block to their potential EV purchase. However,  8% believe the grid can’t handle the number of electric cars. Just 4% think it’s down to stock and supply issues, as many EVs are accessible here in the UK.

Vince Pemberton, chief executive officer at Rivervale Leasing, said: “It’s not the strongest environment at the moment for buyer confidence. There might be a higher upfront cost in going electric but the longer-term saving is substantial. I don’t think this is made clear enough.

“My car probably costs between £10 and £12 to fully charge. That gets me around 220miles. A diesel tank on an average family car gets you 400miles, but sets you back about £85. And it won’t be long before we’re seeing EVs with an equivalent range to petrol and diesel. It’s coming.”

When will UK make EV swtich

Are you ready

Of those surveyed, 12% think that used petrol and diesel vehicles will still be more desirable to drivers. It’s an indication of people avoiding the switch because “we prefer to stick with what we know.”

Rather damningly, 43% of respondents said they don’t believe that the UK will ever be ready to fully make the switch to electric cars.

Only 16% think we are prepared enough to reach the 2030 deadline. More think that we will be ready 10 years after the target date at 18%, whereas the remaining 23% believe that it’ll take until 2050 before we’re completely equipped for the transition.

Business leads the way

Forecasts show that fleet operators will largely step away from petrol and diesel cars by 2025.

Research from the latest Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows fleet decision-makers expect electric to be the dominant powertrain within three years.

A little over a quarter (28%) of UK company cars are predicted to be petrol or diesel power alone by 2025, it says.

With fleets operating vans, they expect half (50%) of those to be electric.