Drivers of petrol and diesel cars have ‘really poor’ knowledge of EVs – survey

Most petrol and diesel car drivers have a “really poor” level of knowledge about electric vehicles (EVs), a survey suggests.

More than half (57%) of 1,000 UK drivers of conventionally fuelled cars polled by YouGov answered no more than two out of 10 questions about EVs correctly.

Non-profit organisation the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), which commissioned the research, warned that a “constant stream of EV misinformation” is stopping many people from switching to electric motoring.

Respondents were asked whether they thought 10 statements about EVs were true or false.

These covered topics such as ownership and running costs, the likelihood of them catching fire and the natural resources needed to build them.

Some 23% of respondents scored zero, while 90% gave no more than five right answers.

Colin Walker, head of transport at the ECIU, told the PA news agency: “All the myths being pedalled 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.

“The constant stream of EV misinformation is clearly causing confusion, and holding many of the UK’s drivers back from making the switch to cleaner and cheaper electric driving.

“The car industry is going to have to get serious about EV misinformation and the new Government will need to ask if it has a role to play too.”

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures show 37,741 new pure electric cars were registered for private buyers in the first seven months of the year.

That represented a 9.5% reduction compared with the same period in 2023, despite the overall new car market increasing by 5.5%.

A report published by a House of Lords committee in February warned that the Conservative government’s concern at the “scale of misinformation” around EVs was not “matched by commensurate urgency in tackling it”.

AA president Edmund King said: “The switch to electric vehicles 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.”

Quentin Willson, automotive journalist and founder of EV campaign group FairCharge, said “factual, evidence-based” information on EVs is available online.

He added: “Too many consumers have been duped into believing reheated, ill-informed myths and misinformation that’s often years old.

“We know that for some, EVs will never fit into their belief systems, but that shouldn’t mean that thousands of ordinary drivers get suckered into believing the long loop of lies.”

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “While EV uptake continues to rise, the automotive industry continues to battle against the deluge of misinformation that is leading to many drivers missing out on their moment to go electric.

“Action must be taken to help buyers overcome upfront cost barriers, and perceptions over inadequate infrastructure can only be changed by ensuring plentiful, widespread supply, installed ahead of need.”

– The survey of 1,000 non-EV drivers was conducted by research company YouGov between April 4-15.