This research by Transport for the North looks at how consumers perceive different factors (enablers and barriers) relating to switching to an EV, including issues around cost, and the cost-of-living crisis. Attitudes towards on-street and hub-based residential charging, and EV car clubs, are also explored. 

The research builds on Transport for the North’s Transport Decarbonisation Strategy (Dec 2021) which sets out the need to rapidly decarbonise surface transport, and the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework (Oct 2022) which identifies charge point requirements to meet the needs of all place types across the North of England. The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework identified that additional evidence was needed to help assess the extent to which different income groups may experience EV uptake and how access to charging might vary, to develop a more rounded view of how to support a more equal and fairer transition to electric vehicles. This study, delivered with members of the Northern Transport Voices online research community, provides additional evidence into this.

The research found that over a third of petrol/diesel drivers were unsure when they will next replace current car or van, and that the cost-of-living crisis has delayed plans to replace current vehicle for quarter of respondents, while 56% of respondents will be seeking lower upfront and/or running costs for their next vehicle due to high cost-of-living. 32% of current petrol or diesel drivers indicated they were interested in replacing current vehicle with hybrid, PHEV or BEV at some point in future (rising to 36% of those who plan to replace their current vehicle within the next 2 years). Among those who were uncertain about switching, the high purchase costs, limited availability of convenient charging options, lack of good quality information, and the emerging nature of the EV market were all identified as barriers to switching. Mixed views were gathered regarding the potential use of shared residential charging solutions (including on-street/kerbside charging points, and secure local charging hubs) and shared EV usage in the form of EV car clubs. The findings point to a need for consumer input and co-design when developing interventions designed to facilitate the switch to electric vehicles to help consumers manage the transition in a fairer and more informed way.