2030 ban delay, car buyers oppose as never going electric

author: FutureCar Staff    

According to a new study by Auto Trader, the number of car buyers who claim they will never buy an electric vehicle (EV) has nearly doubled. This increase is attributed to the government's recent U-turn on the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars. Out of the 1,700 respondents, 37% stated that they were unlikely to ever purchase an EV. This figure is almost double the 21% who expressed the same sentiment when the ban was initially announced two years ago.

On the other hand, the study also revealed that 39% of respondents plan to buy an EV by the time the ban is in place, which is a 10% decrease compared to 2021. Auto Trader also found that the government's change in approach has caused confusion among buyers regarding its stance on electric cars. A significant 70% of respondents were unaware that the policy only applies to new cars and not used ones.

Responding to these findings, Ian Plummer, the commercial director of Auto Trader, expressed concern over the government's decision to delay the ban until 2035. Plummer believes that this delay spreads doubt and negativity, leading to an increase in the number of people who say they will never buy an electric car. However, he emphasizes that regardless of the ban's date, the industry remains committed to delivering an electric future.

Another study conducted by eBay Motors Group mirrored Auto Trader's findings. The study revealed that only 16% of all buyers are currently planning to purchase an EV. Additionally, 40% of those who initially planned to buy an EV within six months have changed their minds. Out of the 2,004 used car buyers surveyed, 29% remained undecided about whether or not to go electric.

Lucy Tugby, the marketing director of eBay Motors Group, expressed concern over the negative impact of the government's announcement on EV buyers. She stated that two in five buyers are now unlikely to proceed with their EV purchase and some are even reverting back to petrol and diesel options. Tugby also highlighted a decline in EV consideration among buyers both before and after the announcement, suggesting that the shifting date has had a limited impact on purchasing decisions.

A separate poll conducted by Regit, involving 4,000 users, found that 59% of respondents do not believe electric vehicles are as clean as they are portrayed to be. Additionally, 50% of respondents believe that investment priority should be placed on alternative fuels. The poll also revealed that 80% of voters support the government's decision to postpone the 2030 ban.

Chris Green, the CEO and founder of Regit, criticized the government's handling of the situation, stating that the decision to postpone the ban is the result of mismanagement and poor planning. Green believes that the cost of switching to electric vehicles is too high for most people, especially considering the lack of financial support from the government. He also mentioned concerns about infrastructure and the barriers hindering mass adoption. Green expects hybrids to play a significant role in the transition to cleaner vehicles.

Overall, it is clear that the government's decision to delay the ban on petrol and diesel cars has had a significant impact on car buyers' attitudes towards electric vehicles. The confusion surrounding the government's approach, coupled with concerns about costs and infrastructure, has caused a decline in EV consideration and an increase in skepticism among potential buyers.

FutureCar Staff