Buyers put off electric cars due to lack of charge sites

NEARLY half of the public say they will never buy an electric car because of a lack of charging points, according to a survey.

The cost of electric vehicles is the other major reason why 46 per cent of people say they will not buy one, the survey by Ford Motors has found.

The findings highlight the challenge the Government faces as it prepares to bring forward the deadline to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles, including plug-in hybrid models.

Grant Shapps, the transport minister, has suggested the date will be brought forward to 2032, but is under pressure to make it as early as 2030.

Electric vehicles currently account for just five per cent of new cars, but sales doubled in August even as the overall market fell.

More than half of respondents to the survey said they were put off buying an electric vehicle because of the price.

Most electric vehicles are significantly more expensive than similar petrol or diesel models, even with government subsidies, with the cheapest starting from around £17,000. Ford’s all-electric cars start from £40,000.

But electric models have proven to be cheaper over their lifetime, taking into account fuel prices. Ford called for a minister for electrification to be established to co-ordinate a comprehensive cross-government strategy and help demystify the market.

Andy Barratt, managing director at Ford of Britain, said: “Given the size and scale of what we want to achieve in the UK, we need to kick-start this process.

‘A fast start could include the creation of a senior role in government... a minister for electrification’

A fast start could include the creation of a specific senior role in government to help co-ordinate a comprehensive strategy for the UK – a minister for electrification who can work cross-functionally across government and with the various stakeholders.”

Mr Shapps has described himself as an “electric head” who is keen to bring forward the ban. A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We have delivered a world-leading package to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles, including a £2.5 billion programme to support grants for plug-in vehicles and funding for charge-point infrastructure in homes, workplaces and across the wider roads network.”