Men are leading the charge to own an electric car

MORE than one in two motorists say they will own an electric car in five years time.

Men are driving the change, with 60 per cent saying they would choose an electric model, compared to 42per cent of women, a survey by website Total EV reveals.

But vehicle cost (27per cent), lack of infrastructure (22per cent) and driving range (20per cent) are the barriers to buying one.

It shows 46 per cent of Britons would switch to electric vehicles due to fuel prices, while 36 per cent cite environmental concerns. And experts have called on the industry to “wake up fast” as 51 per cent of motorists expect to own an electric car within five years.

Businessman Daniel Green, the founder of Total EV, said: “The world is moving away from petrol and diesel to electric. The public wants it, the Government wants it and the environment needs it. But where are the manufacturers and how and when should drivers get involved?

“There are confusing offers, bewildering charging options and genuine anxiety around range, depreciation and when to jump in.

“There are already 110,000 plug-in cars across the country but as technology and infrastructure improves over the next few years and more manufacturers enter the marketplace offering more choice to consumers, we expect to see a transformation in the number of EVs on Britain’s roads.

“This is the biggest thing to happen to motoring since Henry Ford.”