EVs ‘not a lost cause’ despite demand lagging supply
Fri, 14 Mar 2025
New electric car demand is increasingly falling behind improved supply, which is creating headaches for both car manufacturers and government.
However, a new AA report indicates that EVs are not yet ‘a lost cause’ with more than half of drivers saying they still see the potential in electric cars.
What’s stopping them buying an EV in the next five years are worries around price and range, the research revealed.
The organisation says many drivers have been ‘left behind’ by the EV transition, with little currently being done to stimulate demand from drivers.
The RAC says that the current EV system to support drivers is not well-developed and this is damaging EV owner advocacy even from some of the early adopters."
This is shown in the 22% of drivers who totally reject EVs and say they will never get one, and the further 20% of doubters who are neutral or unlikely to get an EV as their next car and are less likely to get one in the future.
In contrast, just 7% of drivers said they already own an EV or have driven one in the past – and even they admit that "improvements in the experience are still needed."
The AA is therefore calling for an EV awareness campaign and more affordability incentives to boost electric cars.
"More needs to be done to make EVs accessible for everyone. Generally, drivers are hesitant, but most are not hostile to the change," says AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler.
"Our research shows many people are confused by the transition, which is not surprising as the main catalyst for change, the ZEV Mandate, only governs supply but does little to encourage demand."
The AA also recommends initiatives such as lower costs like reduced VAT on public chargers, boosting the used EV market with battery health passports and improving chargepoint visibility on UK roads.
