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A spate of new reports has highlighted the reasons why many drivers are still not ready to switch to electric cars.
The studies were published during the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, which highlighted a rapid transition to electric vehicles as a key factor in helping nations meet the net zero targets.
But despite the reservations, the UK Automobile Trade Association says all-electric cars will sell better than diesels in the next year as the recent boom in electric vehicle demand calls for its first victim of internal combustion engines ahead of the 2030 ban on sales of new gasoline and oil burners.
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Motorists do not trust MPs to provide infrastructure
A new study by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) found that many motorists are deterred from completely switching to all-electric vehicles because they have little confidence in the government’s ability to provide the necessary infrastructure.
It comes after local authorities express their concern about a “lack of coherent strategic direction at national level, including the lack of formulation of the vision for the future and the lack of clarity about the role authorities play in providing EV charging infrastructure should “have expressed.
A survey of 3,404 UK licensees found that nearly two-thirds (63 percent) are not confident that policymakers will create sufficient infrastructure for a smooth transition to all-electric vehicles by the end of the government’s term.
The report was released the same day a UK company announced its plans to install 190,000 public charging points across the country by 2030, with most of the new equipment being funded by government subsidies.
According to RSC poll, there is enough public concern about the transition to electric propulsion that MPs’ efforts to reduce air pollution could potentially be undone over the next decade.
Crucially, however, almost half (46 percent) didn’t feel they had enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not their next car or van should be an all-electric vehicle.
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Professor Tom Welton, President of the RSC, said, “After hearing that the government is delaying its strategy for electric vehicle infrastructure, this research shows that much remains to be done to fully appreciate the benefits of switching to the general public convince a full switch. ”Electric vehicles – but more importantly, efforts to provide critical infrastructure for both charging and recycling EV batteries should be a government priority.
“We need to improve the flow of information around the government’s plans to transition to an EV-only network, the ecosystem to support it, and the capabilities of EVs, all of which can help drivers make informed purchasing decisions.”
Well over a third (40 percent) of drivers surveyed by the RSC expressed concerns that electric vehicles could have a negative impact on the environment, with over half (57 percent) worrying about a lack of recycling opportunities for electric vehicles.
Another 55 percent fear a shortage of natural resources that are used to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles.
A third of all respondents said that they would not buy an electric vehicle until their batteries contain fewer “increasingly scarce and precious elements”.
Range anxiety is still an issue, even though the latest electric vehicles can travel more than 300 miles on a single charge
Almost all UK motorists overestimate the number of breakdowns due to problems with EV charging infrastructure and vehicle range, according to a new AA report.
In 2020, his patrols were involved in around 13,000 electric vehicle breakdowns, of which just under 4 percent were for vehicles that went empty-handed. This number has halved in recent years.
However, only 1 percent of 14,500 drivers surveyed were able to correctly assess the frequency of this problem, with an average of two thirds (65 percent) of all electric car breakdowns being due to an empty main battery in the drive system.
In fact, the two most common breakdowns in internal combustion and electric vehicles are the same, with tires and the smaller 12-volt battery being the main causes of failure.
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Drivers were also asked what they think is the average distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, with only a quarter (25 percent) correctly identifying a range of up to 200 miles.
About 6 percent believed the latest models could travel less than 100 miles on a single charge.
It comes as AA President Edmund King participates in the EV Rally of Scotland, or ‘EVROS’, a five-day electric vehicle event that covers some of the roughest and hilly areas of Scotland, including iconic landmarks like John O’Gruits and Ben Nevis.
At the event, EV drivers will cover more than 1,200 miles – that’s more than 250 miles a day and a mega-day of 315 miles.
King, who will drive or co-pilot the entire route, said: “The EV rally is very relevant as it is linked to COP26, where the international talks on climate change will take place.
“It was supposed to show that electric cars can travel long distances, even over Scottish terrain in the cold, and they can be recharged on those trips.
“Personally, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle to explore some of this Scottish terrain and demonstrate how electric vehicles work.”
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Motorists believe that today’s electric vehicles will be out of date in 3 years
EV technology is advancing so fast that the majority (62 percent) of drivers believe the newest cars could be out of date within three years, according to a report from the AA’s Smart Lease arm.
This is despite the fact that many models on the market allow over-the-air software updates to improve range, reduce loading times and add new features.
Of the drivers who specified a three-year best-before date for electric models, one in ten believe that zero-emission vehicles that roll off the assembly line today will be out of date within just one year.
Research shows a difference between generations. Younger drivers (18 to 24 years old) believed more in the longevity of EV technology. 8 percent said they thought it would last more than five years.
Older drivers (65+) reported this only half as often, with only 4 percent believing that current electric vehicle technology would be up to date in five years.
James Fairclough, CEO of AA Smart Lease, said, “For some motorists, the pace of change in EV technology means they want to withhold investment in the technology by buying a car outright.
“Our studies clearly show that drivers have different levels of confidence in the longevity of new electric cars. For those who aren’t confident enough to buy the technology, leasing is a great way to enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle without the perceived risk of quick dating. ‘
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