Centrica’s Hive has revealed 54% of UK drivers want to switch to an electric car within the next five years ahead of the internal combustion engine production ban from 2030.
Disclosed via data collected from Hive into electric vehicles (EV), the information gathered showcases the public’s stance on EVs whilst also revealing that 58% would consider integrating a home charger.
This stance supports data collected via New Automotive, which found more EVs had been bought in 2022 already than over the entirety of 2020. The EV market is continuing to grow, and in July 2022 accounted for 11.1% of the market with 11,240 pure EVs registered.
However its is believed that more could be done to support EV adoption on the UK’s roads. According to Centrica, one of the primary misconceptions preventing the rapid adoption of EVs is around the costs of operating the vehicles and whether the switch is cost-efficient in the current climate.
Data collected by Hive found that over a quarter (27%) of people believe home charging would be more expensive than using public chargers amid the cost-of-living crisis which is set to intensify over the coming winter months.
However, making the switch to EVs and incorporating a home charging system into a user’s home could “save them money in the long run” amid rising living costs.
For example, households with solar panels, EV chargers and heat pumps can now save more than £1,800 a year on their energy bills, according to research from WWF and ScottishPower.
By incorporating a Hive smart home platform, EV drivers are able to charge their car when prices are at their lowest and when the most renewable energy is available on the grid, with the integrated automated charging feature able to support the balancing of the grid.
This both reduces the costs of charging an EV and reduces a customer’s carbon footprint by utilising electricity that is greener.
“We’re getting closer to the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles and with petrol prices at an all- time high, some people may be considering the switch to an electric vehicle,” commented Henry Duff, head of net zero at Hive.
“However, it is evident from our research that there’s still confusion around EV charging, particularly when it comes to costs. We understand the move to electric cars can be daunting, so we want to make the transition as simple as possible for those where home charging is an option.”
