Charging posts 'key to EV demand'

30/06/11

By Steven Birch

Around two thirds of drivers (65.7 per cent) would be more likely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) if charging posts were easily accessible, a survey has shown.

EV infrastructure provider Elektromotive questioned 1,417 motorists to see how their opinions about owning an electric vehicle would be affected if there were an increase in charging posts at roadsides and car parks across Britain.

Results showed that 26.5 per cent of respondents are currently "undecided", meaning that the minority still need some persuasion about the benefits buying an electric vehicle.

These benefits include cheaper car insurance and savings in fuel for drivers who choose to purchase these pioneering vehicles.

Meanwhile, around 7.8 per cent said they would not be more likely to buy an electric vehicle if charging post numbers were increased.

During the first quarter of 2011 there were only 534 grant applications for a Government incentive scheme to enable drivers to save £5,000 on the purchase price for a new electric vehicle.

Elektromotive believes one way to boost the demand for this scheme would be to increase the availability of charging stations. Currently, more than 600 charging posts have been put in place in car parks and on roadsides across the UK.