Myths and misinformation are stopping drivers switching to EVs, new study shows

• ECIU YouGov poll finds drivers have a ‘poor’ level of EV knowledge
• Respondents asked about running costs, charging and emissions
• Drivers thought to be ‘hesitant’ rather than ‘hostile’ to EVs

UK drivers are not switching to EVs because of myths and misinformation, according to the ECIU

Drivers in the UK are not switching to electric vehicles (EVs) due to “myths” and “misinformation”, according to a new poll by YouGov for the Energy Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). 

YouGov and the ECIU has found that petrol car drivers have a ‘poor’ level of EV knowledge, which is discouraging them from changing.

Drivers were asked if 10 separate statements about EVs and if they were true or false; 57% of petrol/diesel car drivers got two or less out of 10 correct. 

Ninety-per cent of respondents scored just five or less out of 10 and around a quarter (23%) got none correct. 

The ECIU also reported that this lack of knowledge is “affecting drivers’ car choices, with people displaying a poor understanding of EVs being less likely to want their next car to be an EV. 

Colin Walker, head of transport at the ECIU, said that the “constant stream of EV misinformation” is stopping the UK from switching to “cleaner and cheaper” electric driving.

“Poll after poll has found EV drivers love their cars and simply wouldn’t go back to petrol,” Walker said.

“But all the myths about EVs are misleading some petrol car drivers who now have a really poor knowledge of electric cars. 

“For example, they don’t realise that a petrol car costs a lot more to own and run over its lifetime than an electric car – a ‘petrol premium’ that can leave them hundreds of pounds out of pocket every year.”

“Drivers who scored two or less out of 10 were 11 times less likely to want their next car to be an EV than those who scored eight or more out of 10,” Walker added.

The statements within the poll covered the costs of owning and running an EV, as well as charging and the natural resources needed to build and run an EV. It found: 

• Sixty-two per cent of petrol drivers believe it’s more expensive to own and run an EV, with only 14% correctly recognising that EVs are typically cheaper. 
• Forty-one per cent of petrol drivers incorrectly think that EVs are more likely to catch fire than petrol cars, with only 24% correct in their understanding that they are less likely to catch fire. 
• More than half (59%) of petrol drivers thought the UK’s electricity grid would not be able to cope with the UK’s shift to EVs.
• Eighty per cent of petrol drivers think the UK is not on course to install the charging infrastructure it needs, despite the UK being ahead of schedule to hit its 300,000 chargers target by 2030.
• More drivers (35%) believe that an EVs lifetime CO2 emissions are no less than those of a petrol car, which is incorrect. An EV being driven in the UK produces three times less lifetime CO2 emissions than an equivalent petrol or diesel car. 

The poll follows a House of Lords committee report on EVs that also expressed concern about a ‘concerted campaign of misinformation’ about EVs. It highlighted the impact of such misinformation, confusing people about EV ownership, preventing them from making the switch to EVs. 

“The previous government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is increasing competition between manufacturers, bringing down upfront costs and will start to feed the second-hand market where most of us buy our cars,” Walker said.

“Secondhand EVs are already at price parity with petrol cars, but are so much cheaper to run, so the policy is set to bring down the costs of motoring for ordinary families.”

Edmund King, president, AA, told the ECIU: “The switch to EVs is a big jump for many, particularly when they don’t know what they are getting into. We find drivers are ‘hesitant’ rather than ‘hostile’ and much of this hesitancy is fuelled by misinformation. 

“Once drivers get behind the wheel of an EV they rarely look back when they realise that EVs are better in terms of economy, environment and excitement.”