By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(January 23, 2016) British auto insurer Adrian Flux surveyed 1,784 British motorists to determine whether they plan to buy an electric vehicle in the next five years. The insurer of modified and unusual vehicles noted that the number of electric cars on Britain’s roads has increased to more than 40,000 from just 3,500 two years ago, and wondered if this rate of growth would continue or even increase.

The survey showed that just over three percent of those surveyed were considering buying an EV in the next half decade, while 23% were undecided, and 73% said they had no plans to buy one.

This is bad news for automakers, who are being forced by legislation to increase their electric vehicle offerings. The Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, VW e-Golf, Tesla Model S and others have joined the party, and are soon to be joined by vehicles like the Chevy Bolt. But who will buy them?

In Britain, government grants of up to £5,000 toward the cost of a new car, as well as road-tax and London congestion charge exemptions are used as incentives to lure buyers into EVs. However, the number of respondents interested in EVs has grown just one percentage point sine the survey was last conducted in 2012.

Nearly 19% of  those surveyed this time around said range anxiety,was the main roadblock to their purchase. And 35% said that they simply enjoyed driving traditional gasoline and diesel cars too much to ever make the switch. Another 22% said that, despite the incentives, cost was a barrier, while seven percent said they were concerned about the cost of replacing the battery pack as the car aged.

Interestingly, EVs have their own environmental hurdles to overcome with buyers. They are concerned about the recyclability of spent battery packs, the cleanliness of power plants, and the increase in emissions as electricity production rises. Further city dwellers, a key demographic for EVs, can’t see the practicality of  installing a charging station they may not be able to park near. Many also said the pace of change in battery technology could leave early adopters holding an empty bag.

According to Gerry Bucke, general manger at Flux, “Despite the government grant, new electric cars still tend to cost more than their petrol or diesel-powered cousins, which remains an issue for many, as do the supposed environmental benefits.

"People remain unconvinced about the practicality of the technology as it stands, as well as whether the cars are as green as manufacturers claim.”

The Virtual Driver