A new poll has shown that many non-EV drivers still remain ill-informed about electric vehicles, suggesting that misinformation is clearly affecting people’s knowledge and understanding of EVs.
The new poll by YouGov for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that, when asked if ten separate statements about EVs were true or false, over half (51%) of non-EV drivers scored two or less out of 10 right, with 84% getting five or less right. Meanwhile, just 5% scored 8 or more out of 10.
For example, petrol cars are more likely to catch fire than EVs, but less than a quarter (23%) correctly recognised this as true, while almost half (46%) incorrectly thought the opposite.
Colin Walker, Head of Transport at ECIU, said: “It is no surprise that sales of EVs in the UK continue to rise, since poll after poll finds that EV drivers love their cars and wouldn’t go back go back to petrol.
"However, a constant stream of misinformation is skewing non-EV drivers’ knowledge of EVs. With two-thirds not knowing that EVs are cheaper to own and run than petrol cars, it’s clear that many are holding back from making the shift to EVs, leaving families across the UK stuck driving petrol and diesel cars that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds more to run right in the midst of a cost of living squeeze.
“The UK is a front runner when it comes to making the shift to EVs, meaning the nation’s driving bill is coming down faster. The Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is increasing competition between manufacturers and bringing down the upfront cost of new EVs – some new EVs, such as the Renault 5, are now cheaper to buy than their petrol equivalents. This is driving up sales which will, in turn, feed the second-hand market where most of us buy our cars. Second-hand EVs are already at price parity with petrol cars, meaning families across the UK are able to start enjoying savings from the moment that they get their hands on the keys.
“The latest instability in the Middle East is once again illustrating how using oil to power our cars leaves the UK’s drivers exposed to international markets over which we have no control – even with new drilling, North Sea production is so small that it has virtually no impact on prices. While petrol car drivers face paying higher prices at the pump, EV drivers will continue to be able to drive their cars for as little as 2p per mile”.
Perran Moon MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on EVs, said: “Electric vehicles are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to own and run over the lifetime of the vehicle than petrol or diesel cars. So, it’s no surprise that growing numbers of Brits are going electric. But what this polling shows us is that many drivers of non-EVs are still misinformed about some of the most basic facts about electric vehicles.
“The more misinformed you are, the less like you are to make the switch to an EV. Two years ago, the House of Lords environment committee warned that misinformation was a major barrier to the EV transition. Now, we need to see robust action from the government, industry, and media to dispel the myths of misinformation and to ensure that drivers are equipped with the facts when deciding on their next purchase.”
