There has been a 172% increase in searches for electric cars on ZenAuto’s car leasing site since September 2021.
One in five (19%) drivers surveyed said the fuel crisis made them more eager to switch to EVs as soon as possible, while a third (35%) said COP26 had encouraged it .
Data from Zenith’s direct-to-consumer leasing business is backed by Google Trends, which indicates that the biggest peaks of interest for EV information in 2021 are in late September and late October, just before the start of fuel demand. During the shortage. COP26 conference. Search interest for electric cars was also at its highest point in five years at the end of September.
A new survey conducted by GenAuto among 4,000 motorists found that one in five (19%) said fuel woes made them more eager to switch to EVs soon, while a third (35) %) said that COP 26 had encouraged it.
Its research also shows that awareness of EV benefits and features has increased in the past year. A third (32%) of motorists claimed that their knowledge of EV benefits and features had improved ‘somewhat’ in the past year, while one in 10 (11%) felt that their knowledge had improved. ‘significantly improved.
Smaller drivers were found most likely to be switched; 75% of drivers in the 18-24 year old bracket said they would take the move, compared to 35% for those over 65.
But when the intention is high, barriers to switching remain, with two-thirds (68%) of non-EV drivers being put off by the initial cost of vehicles, and more than half (58%) say the prices. would need to be significantly reduced. They have to buy in the next six months.
A total of 12% also said that while they are looking forward to owning an electric car now, they currently cannot afford to do so.
Access to charging points is also a top concern, with almost half (46%) feeling it would require a significant increase in the number of points in their area for them to become a viable option, and 38% saying they Want a free charging point for their home.
Just 4% said they did not expect to have EVs before the government banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, although one in 10 (10%) admitted that a major global environmental disaster would make them switch. will get to do.
