Petrol still pips the post as lack of infrastructure and charging stalls Welsh electric drive

Only half of Welsh motorists currently using petrol or diesel say they are likely or very likely to switch to an electric car in the next 10 years.

The Office for National Statistics figures reveal that many are still looking to stay with petrol or diesel, with 29% are fairly or very unlikely to buy an electric car within the next 10 years.

While 11% of Welsh car owners say they think they will buy an electric or hybrid car in the next two years, 43% are putting off buying electric for five years or more. The main reason for not switching over to greener motoring is cost – 66%, followed by concerns about  infrastructure, 56%, and lack of reliability, 10%.

The figures reflect the slow pace of moving to greener motoring across the UK. Of those planning to buy a new car in the next year, 16% intend to buy a hybrid, 8% an electric, 7% diesel and 41% aim to stick with petrol. Currently only 2% of cars are hybrid and 3% are electric in the UK although Wales has higher adoption rates: 8% for all electric models.

The latest government research comes amidst a backdrop of initiatives to encourage motorists to switch to hybrid or electric including a number of UK cities pushing through ultra-low emission zones and scrappage schemes for older petrol and diesel cars.

The government has also been increasing investment in charging points, including grants for motorists, as well as tax relief – in preparation for the ban on selling new petrol and diesel vehicles which comes into effect in 2030.

Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder Greg Wilson comments: “These latest government figures show that the green car revolution is taking its time to get into gear.

“Welsh drivers’ views on switching to electric or hybrids closely match the current reluctance of motorists across the UK to go green, with cost being identified as main the reason for sticking with fossil fuels being almost identical in percentage terms.

“It’s surprising there isn’t greater enthusiasm for greener motoring considering the government’s work pushing the environmental benefits and tax savings of electric cars.

“The new car shortage is also playing a role, brought about by lack of materials and logistical issues causing a spike in new car shoppers choosing ‘nearly new’ second-hand petrol cars.

“But these latest statistics show cost is probably the biggest factor holding back the switch to green motoring, which is understandable as the country emerges from the pandemic. However, the high percentage of drivers who intend to buy petrol cars compared to electric models shows that concerns about infrastructure and reliability are not going to be easily overcome.

“One positive point to bear in mind for those thinking or worried about insurance costs is that electric car insurance is now more readily available as the majority of insurance providers have added or are in the process of adding electric cars to their offering – making it easier for consumers to shop around and get a competitive premium.  2022 will be an interesting year for electric car growth, hopefully as the economy stabilises post-pandemic, people will be more inclined to splash their lockdown savings on bigger luxury items with an eye on their greener future.”

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