Six in ten drivers would not change their current car for an electric vehicle, a recent survey has found.
The research carried out by ALD Automotive surveyed 1,000 business drivers and found that only 32% would be willing to consider changing to an electric vehicle.
Of the drivers that would not consider switching to an electric vehicle, 60% claimed that the lack of suitable models on the market was the main reason for not switching. A further 35% said that they were not convinced about the overall reduction in CO2 emissions offered by electrically powered cars.
Conversely, of those that were willing to adopt electric cars, 73% claimed that lower CO2 emissions were a major factor, with 69% swayed by the lower running costs offered by electric vehicles.
ALD Automotive has pointed out that recent changes to the Benefit in Kind (BIK) company car tax system could have a negative impact on the sales of low carbon vehicles. Currently, electric cars do not pay BIK tax and low-emission hybrids are charged at just 5%. However, from 2015-2016, business users will be charged at 13% for both electric cars and hybrids.
Keith Allen, MD of ALD Automotive, said: "The survey results highlight that whilst some business drivers may consider changing to an electric vehicle in the future, lack of charging points and battery range still need to be addressed by the Government and manufacturers in order to convince business drivers to make that all important switch."
