80% of motorists would back end of ICE sales before 2035, says EVA England

Over 80% of drivers believe the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans should end before 2035, suggests a survey by a new consumer association set up to represent the interests of current and prospective electric vehicle drivers in England.

The consumer association, the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England, is being launched to represent the interests of current and prospective electric vehicle drivers in England.

Inspired by similar associations in Scotland, Norway, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA, EVA England has conducted its own survey in order to understand people’s views about the UK Government’s planned phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, with 82% of respondents believing the phase out date should be brought forward from 2035.

EVA England will also represent the views of electric vehicle drivers in areas such as the provision and accessibility of charging infrastructure and payments for charging, and the process of purchasing and owning an electric vehicle.

EVA England’s survey of 1,114 individuals - who were predominately drivers or prospective drivers of EVs, as well as other drivers who have not yet made the change – was designed to inform the organisation’s core views. Responses to the survey were primarily secured in collaboration with the 35-plus regional electric car clubs in England, largely thanks to the EV Groups Nexus.

The survey highlighted that:

• 82% of respondents in England believe the phase out date for ICE (internal combustion engine) sales should be moved to an earlier date than 2035
• 65% of respondents in England support a 2030 phase out date
• 96% of all respondents believe an earlier phase out would have a positive impact on public health
• A majority (72.9%) of survey participants believe that an earlier phase out date would positively affect the UK economy
• 74% either agree or strongly agree that the motor industry will be able to supply enough electric cars to meet demand
• 78.5% of participants do not believe an earlier phase out date would put unfair pressure on the automotive industry and its employees.

EVA England’s survey was run with help from the EV Groups Nexus, a collection of independent Electric Vehicle Car Clubs from around the United Kingdom.

The survey ran for two weeks from 3 July to 17 July 2020. Of the 1,114 responses, 71.9% of participants indicated their primary vehicle was an electric vehicle – whether battery electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or range-extended electric vehicle. Some 718 participants stated that their primary car was a battery electric vehicle (BEV), which equated to 64.5% of all participants

Based on the results of the survey, EVA England will be encouraging the government to bring forward the phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2030.

The survey suggests that other potentially popular actions that the Government could take include:

• Introduce a scrappage scheme for petrol and diesel internal combustion engine cars
• Continue to offer grants and implement a loan scheme
• Implement a seamless payment scheme for charging
• Implement faster investment by local authorities in public charging infrastructure.

Bridget Phelps, chair of EVA England, said: “We are at a critical juncture in our country's automotive history. Climate leadership demands that we move more quickly to clean our air. Development of electric cars and vans, their batteries, and renewable energy will create jobs and build a path to a more sustainable economy."

www.evaengland.org.uk