British drivers reject switch to EVs even if used car prices drop in car ownership crisis


An overwhelming majority of British drivers admit they would not switch to electric vehicles even if second-hand used prices started to fall.

A new Express poll of over 5,000 respondents revealed upfront costs were not the only barrier to entry with thousands still not interested in making the transition.

Second-hand EV prices have started to drop in recent years as more models enter circulation.

Costs have been seen as one of the biggest hurdles to getting people to convert with most EVs still five-figure sums.

It is thought that an increase in used EVs could help people make the leap who cannot afford to go brand new.

However, the latest survey casts doubt over the future of EV ownership in Britain with over 90 percent rejecting the new technology.

A staggering 91.64 percent said they would not be tempted to secure an EV even if second-hand prices dramatically fell.

Only 6.57 percent said cheaper prices may encourage them to have a look with 1.79 percent still unsure of where they stand.

Last month, data from AA Cars revealed 16 percent of drivers said falling prices would make them more likely to buy a used electric vehicle in the next five years.

Another two percent said declining rates could increase the chance of securing a model in the next 12 months.

However, recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that used electric car purchases reached a record high last year.

Sales were up 90.9 percent in 2023 with an eye-watering 118,973 vehicles swapping hands.

It comes as demand for new electric vehicles appears to be softening with the latest March SMMT data suggesting sales were slowing.

The figures revealed that battery electric vehicles sales were only up 3.8 percent in March 2024 compared to 12 months before.

Meanwhile, the number of brand-new petrol models registered during this period was up 9.2 percent.

Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, suggested a second-hand market for electric models was starting to emerge as numbers on the roads increased.

She told Express.co.uk: “Now we are seeing more cars coming through so the lead times have come down considerably.

“We are starting to see some second-hand cars come out now as well. They are coming off lease from a few years ago. That is starting to create a second-hand market which is exciting.”

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