Around 80% of drivers responding to the poll said they would consider an EV, leaving a fifth of the motoring population suggesting that would not buy an electric car under any circumstances. Around half (46%) stated that the ability to charge the car at home speedily but without denting their electricity bill would be preferable. Inescapably, the perceived need for a national charging infrastructure increases EVs’ potential.  

Travelling a decent distance, without needing to recharge, is vital for over a third (38%) of drivers who want EVs to travel at least 100 miles on one charge. Saving money is a consideration for over a third (38%) of drivers, due to lower running and maintenance costs. Penny-conscious motorists also stated that were taxes cheaper on electric vehicles (28%) or if the government gave a grant (33%) towards an EV, they would be more likely to purchase one. 

Costs are crucial. The Volkswagen e-Golf, for instance, is eligible for a government grant of £3,500, which reduces its list price from £32,000 to £28,500, but this is still £5,500 more than the petrol Volkswagen Golf GT equivalent. Trust in the technology is important for a third (33%) of drivers, while only a sixth (16%) say the environment is a consideration. Almost a quarter (23%) also want confirmation that the government will not be making EVs more expensive in the future. 

The cheapest electric family cars are the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero, which sell for under £17,000, but their full charge range of 55 miles is too low for daily commutes. As well as grants towards the purchase of electric vehicles, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) funds up to 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at domestic properties, to a maximum of £500. The average cost is around £1,000. 

One in ten respondents say they would be tempted by an EV, if they were granted special priority in congested areas. As UK ownership of electric cars grows, albeit very slowly, it is interesting to note hesitation when it comes to making a commitment. It is not helped by insurance firms charging around a third more to cover an EV. 

An intriguing challenge was carried out…on the famous Land’s End to John o’Groats, 962-miles route. The cars chosen were a Golf e and its Golf GT counterpart. They should use no motorways and only rapid chargers. Both started with full tanks, with costs included in the final reckoning.

• The Golf GT was able to take the most efficient route. Its full tank capable of around 600 miles, requiring only one fuel stop.
• The 32kWh battery of the Golf e provides 186 miles of travel, less than a third of the distance of the GT, meaning it stopped five times for charging (of the 19,375 EV charge points, only 1,500 are rapid chargers, that’s one for every 63 square miles). 
• The Golf GT completed the journey in 19 hours 21 mins (with a 15-minute fuel stop).
• The Golf e completed the journey in 23 hours 6 minutes (four hours of which were waiting for the car to charge, even with a rapid charge port taking an average of 30 minutes for 100 miles of charge).

The final cost of the journey: the Golf GT around £125; the Golf e around £60.