More people plan to buy electric than petrol cars for the first time

MORE drivers expect to purchase an electric car than a petrol-powered model for the first time, according to a new survey of buyers. A flurry of interest in electric cars has been driven by falling prices, better range, favourable government policies and a desire to help deliver cleaner air.

Electric car interest beat petrol in September and has been generally broadening its lead since, with 34pc of buyers now expecting to choose one for their next purchase, according to a survey by Autovia, a publisher.

Petrol will attract a quarter of purchases, while hybrids – either plugged in or self-charging – will be bought by 18pc of new car purchasers. Only one in 10 say they will opt for a diesel vehicle, reflecting its declining fortunes.

Lawsuits against carmakers such as Volkswagen over cheating in emissions tests, as well as concerns over the particles produced and their effect on lung health, have led to a sharp decline in the popularity of diesel despite its better fuel economy over long distances.

The latest data for October show pure battery cars made up 15pc of new car sales, up from 6.6pc a year earlier. Diesel slid to 6.6pc of sales, while petrol purchases contributed 46pc, according to figures from trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

However, there are concerns over access to charging points, especially for those without a driveway or garage, as well as limitations for those who make long journeys. Even the fastest chargers take at least 30 minutes to fully power a vehicle, although these timings continue to fall every year.

The Government will ban the sale of new petrol or diesel vehicles from 2030, while hybrid cars can be sold until 2035.

Autovia polls its readers when they enter a competition or register with titles such as Auto Express, asking them questions about their likes and interests, including future purchases, and asks a few hundred thousand people a year.

Separately, UK engine making fell 35pc last month as a global shortage of computer chips continued to wreak havoc on the industry. While chip makers are ramping up production, they are focusing their efforts on the high-margin semiconductor chips used in smartphones and computers rather than the cheaper units used in cars.