Drivers aged 55 and over are the age group most reluctant to make the change to electrical automobiles (EV), based on Carwow.

This presents a major problem for UK motor retailers, as that is additionally the group Carwow believes is greatest capable of make the shift to electrified mobility.

Over two thirds (67%) of drivers polled aged 55 or over say concern about worth is at the moment placing them off buying an EV, based on the analysis performed for Carwow by Censuswide of 1,308 UK drivers in March.

This group can be extra prone to cite the dearth of charging infrastructure to help EVs as a purpose why they’d not hand over their petrol or diesel automobile, with 43% saying it’s a barrier, in comparison with simply 23% of drivers aged underneath 44.

A larger variety of these aged 55 and over say they’re unconvinced by the know-how of EVs – a 3rd (34%) of these surveyed stated this might put them off making the swap, in comparison with simply 20% of drivers underneath 44.

Nonetheless, there are 17.4 million drivers with a full licence aged 55 and over, equal to 42% of the entire UK driving inhabitants.

That is usually the age group most certainly to purchase a brand new automobile, due to larger shopping for and borrowing energy, and folks on this age bracket is extra prone to reside in bigger properties with off-street parking for straightforward at-home charging.

A possibility for mature drivers to guide EV gross sales

Hugo Griffiths, shopper editor at Carwow, stated: “Drivers of their mid-50s and above are, in some ways, ultimate EV patrons.

“This demographic is extra prone to have the off-street house for a house chargepoint, whereas disposable incomes additionally are usually larger with the over 55s.

“Should you usually drive lengthy distances then possibly an EV isn’t for you, but when, like most of us, your common journeys are underneath 200 miles, then an EV ought to match the invoice completely.

“There’s a actual alternative for extra mature drivers to prepared the ground in relation to EVs. We see an enormous alternative for the automobile business to assist educate this age group on the professionals for EV possession and tackle a few of the misgivings round EVs mature drivers appear to have; if that is executed, a precedent will likely be set for others to comply with.”

Near 1 / 4 of EV drivers are 55 or older, making it the biggest age group for EV drivers within the UK and suggesting that when these issues are overcome, they’re the age group most certainly to take up an electrical automobile. 

Figures from the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT) confirmed that in April battery electrical car (BEV) gross sales reached 20,522 – up by 59.1%, year-on-year – whereas petrol-powered automobiles remained the most well-liked gas kind, comprising 42.8% of all gross sales within the month.