UK Drivers Want ICE Ban Scrapped, Survey Claims
Despite the UK government’s insistence that it will hold to its planned new vehicle ICE ban in 2030, most motorists want gasoline and diesel powertrains to continue being sold.
That’s the finding of a survey of 1,000 UK drivers who want the country to follow the European Union’s lead to allow ICE powertrains burning carbon neutral e-fuels. The poll by car insurance comparison specialist, Quotezone.co.uk, found that 82%, feel the ban is too soon, while the vast majority, 83%, don’t want to see ICE cars scrapped at all.
The survey also found that motorists believe the infrastructure to support the switch to BEVs is not ready with 90%, feeling there simply aren’t enough charging points. Drivers’ concerns that the government are asleep at the wheel when it comes to BEV infrastructure is reflected by the fact that three-quarters of respondents now feel that the range of current electric vehicles is a major issue. The average real-world range of BEVs in the UK in 2023 is 219 miles, meaning that motorists on longer journeys have to stop and rely on charging points being available and working.
Switching to BEVs also coincides with the UK’s cost-of-living crisis is a major problem for almost all motorists with 95% saying that EVs are too expensive. Currently, BEV models remain significantly more expensive than their ICE counterparts. However, manufacturer price cuts, such several this year by Tesla, is leaving current owners seething as they see the residual value of their vehicles dive.
Greg Wilson founder and CEO at Quotezone.co.uk cited the survey findings which revealed that 49% will only change cars when they “absolutely have to” and when they do finally change, only 14% intend to buy a BEV. He said: “Our survey shows that the government proposal to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030 is coming too soon for the vast majority of motorists. The high cost of purchasing a fully electric vehicle has led 87% of drivers to decide that they won’t be purchasing a fully electric vehicle when they next change cars and only then because they absolutely have to make a change.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
