Three quarters of drivers think switch to electric is too soon
25/07/2024
Drivers across Northern Ireland are reluctant about switching to electric vehicles.
A massive 75% of drivers surveyed said they believed that the government plans to ban the selling of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 is too soon, according to a new survey by CompareNI.com.
When drivers were asked when they planned to make the change to an electric vehicle over half, (52%), said they didn’t plan to go electric at all, with the next most popular option being 6-10 years (14%).
According to the survey, the main thing stopping people from going electric is the cost, with 39% saying electric vehicles are too expensive. The average cost to buy an electric car in the UK is around £50,000.*
The second most popular factor deterring drivers from going electric was the charging infrastructure, with 27% of respondents saying it isn’t good enough. Northern Ireland currently has the lowest level of charging device provisions in the UK, with 29 devices per 100,000.**
New data from CompareNI.com also shows that the average car insurance premium for an electric car in Northern Ireland is significantly dearer than insurance for a petrol or diesel car.
The data shows that in Northern Ireland the average car insurance premium for an electric car is £759.60, in comparison an average diesel car insurance premium is £642.60 while an average premium for a petrol car is £510.90.
However, insurance premiums for electric vehicles in Northern Ireland are significantly cheaper than in the rest of the UK at £978.
Commenting on the survey results Greg Wilson, CEO of CompareNI.com, said: “With the government’s plans to ban the selling of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, our survey suggests the public aren’t fully supportive of the proposed changes.
“Despite these plans being announced nearly two years ago, many drivers in Northern Ireland still think 2035 is too soon and aren’t even considering switching to electric vehicles in the future.
“Amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis drivers don’t want to pay more money to purchase an electric car or increase their insurance premiums by driving one. In addition to this, access to charging points across Northern Ireland are lagging behind the rest of the UK, making drivers even more reluctant to make the switch.
“The government is trying to improve these problems and there was a 17% increase in public charging devices between January and March 2024. However, to encourage drivers to get on board with electric vehicles, more incentives and charging infrastructure need to be put in place.” **
CompareNI.com helps hundreds of thousands of drivers every year find savings on car insurance plus niche items such as bike and van insurance, and even car finance. -ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
Electric Car Survey
| Question | Response |
| Do you think that government plans to ban the selling of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 is too soon? | Yes- 75% |
| No-24% | |
| N/A 1% | |
| When do you think you’ll make the change to electric? | I don’t plan to go electric- 52% |
| 6-10 years- 14% | |
| 2-5 years- 13% | |
| Just before the new gov. deadline in 2035 (that stops the sale of new petrol/diesel cars)- 12% | |
| Other- 9% | |
| What’s the main thing stopping you from going electric? | Electric cars are too expensive-39% |
| The charging infrastructure isn’t good enough-27% | |
| Mileage range concerns-9% | |
| Repair costs too high- 4% | |
| Cost of home charging too expensive-4% | |
| Other-17% |
CompareNI.com’s findings are based on a randomised survey of over 700 respondents across Northern Ireland in June 2024, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.
Car Insurance Premiums – average per fuel type
| Engine Type | Region | Average Premium |
| Electric | REST UK | £978.00 |
| Electric | NI | £759.60 |
| Diesel | REST UK | £772.10 |
| Diesel | NI | £642.60 |
| Petrol | REST UK | £656.10 |
| Petrol | NI | £510.90 |
References:
*https://www.splend.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-an-electric-car-cost/
**https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electric-vehicle-public-charging-infrastructure-statistics-april-2024/electric-vehicle-public-charging-infrastructure-statistics-april-2024
This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.