2030 ban delay: Car buyers reject electric vehicles

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【Summary】A new study by Auto Trader reveals that the number of car buyers who say they will never buy an electric vehicle (EV) has almost doubled following the UK government's U-turn on the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars. The study found that 37% of in-market car buyers are unlikely to ever buy an EV, compared to 21% two years ago when the ban was initially announced.

FutureCar Staff Sep 26, 2023 9:17 AM PT

2030 ban delay: Car buyers reject electric vehicles

According to a new study by Auto Trader, the number of car buyers who say they will never purchase 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 car buyers surveyed, 37% stated that they were unlikely to ever buy 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 implemented, which is a 10% decrease compared to 2021. Auto Trader's research 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.

Ian Plummer, the commercial director of Auto Trader, commented on the survey results, stating that the government's U-turn has caused a doubling in the number of people who claim they will never buy an electric car. He also criticized the decision to delay the ban until 2035, as it spreads doubt and negativity. However, Plummer emphasized that the automotive industry remains committed to delivering an electric future, regardless of the ban's date.

A separate study conducted by eBay Motors Group supports Auto Trader's findings. The research revealed that only 16% of all buyers are currently planning to purchase an EV. Furthermore, 40% of those who initially planned to buy an EV within six months have changed their minds. Among the 2,004 used car buyers surveyed, 29% remained undecided on 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 in-market EV buyers. She noted that two in five buyers are now unlikely to proceed with their EV purchase and some have reverted back to petrol and diesel options. Tugby also highlighted a decline in EV consideration among buyers both before and after the announcement, indicating that the shifting ban date has had limited impact on purchasing decisions.

In a poll conducted by Regit, 59% of the 4,000 respondents expressed skepticism about the cleanliness of electric vehicles. Additionally, 50% believed that the priority for investment should be on alternative fuels rather than EVs. The poll also revealed that 80% of respondents supported the government's decision to postpone the 2030 ban.

Chris Green, the CEO and founder of Regit, criticized the government's mismanagement and poor planning regarding the ban's postponement. He argued that the cost of switching to electric vehicles, combined with the lack of financial support from the government, has priced out many motorists. Green emphasized the need to focus on getting as many people as possible into cleaner vehicles based on their affordability, with hybrids potentially playing a significant role.

Green also acknowledged that there will likely be more twists and turns leading up to the 2035 ban and questioned whether alternative fuels could provide a viable solution.