Sparking change
More than half of drivers under the age of 50 plan to switch to a plug-in vehicle
MORE than four in 10 drivers are likely to switch to an electric car within the next decade - with younger motorists leading the way. Figures from the Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, conducted between 22 September and 3 October 2021, show that 44% of all petrol, diesel and hybrid drivers said they were either likely or very likely to switch to an all-electric vehicle in the next 10 years.
At that point, sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will have come to an end, with the sale of hybrid vehicles being phased out slightly later in 2035.
The ONS say the move could have a significant impact on the UK drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
As of 2019, transport was responsible for 27% of total UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In particular, 52% of 16- to 29-year-olds who own a conventional vehicle and 54% of 30- to 49-year-olds said they were either likely or very likely to switch to electric in the next 10 years.
That compared to 41% of 50- to 69-year-old drivers, and 28% of those aged 70 and over.
Most vehicles on UK roads still run on conventional fuels, with 97% of the 32.7 million registered vehicles in 2020 powered by petrol (58%) or diesel (38%).
Vehicles powered by alternative fuels – including hybrid electric, battery electric, fuel cell and gas – made up the remainder, with 1.1 million (3%) registered in 2020.
Part of why more people haven't moved to electric cars already is because cost remains a barrier.
Of the drivers surveyed who said they were not likely to switch to an electric vehicle in the next 10 years, 70% said cost was a reason.
Separate ONS figures show that in 2020, ownership of plug-in vehicles was more common in areas where people had more disposable income - mainly in London and the East or South East of England.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that at the start of this year, the average sale price of the 10 best-selling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) (£29,073) was around 30% higher than the average sale price for the top 10 best-selling petrol vehicles (£20,128).
However, while the upfront costs remain higher, running costs for BEVs provide better lifetime savings over fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, projections from the independent Climate Change Committee's Sixth Carbon Budget suggest the upfront vehicle cost of a battery electric vehicle will be similar to that of a conventionally powered car by 2030.
Deputy minister for climate change, Lee Waters, said: "We need to do more in the next 10 years than we've done in the last 30 if we're to reach our net zero target by 2050.
"Changing the car dependency culture that has been created in the past and encouraging more people to use public transport will be key, but for those essential car journeys, making the switch to an electric vehicle is another way we can make a difference."