A pure electric car is the ideal choice for a fifth of new car buyers today, according to new research,
Analysis of the daily mileage, driving habits and vehicle requirements for more than 8,400 users of What Car?’d What Fuel? Calculator revealed that 19.2% of drivers could use a fully electric vehicle (EV) as their daily driver without compromising their routine.
Hybrid and plug-in vehicles were recommended for 63.8% of motorists, while diesel and petrol engines are best for just 12.5% and 4.8% of drivers respectively.
However, sales of fully electric vehicles are failing to reach their potential and currently account for only 2.2% of the UK’s new car market, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
What Car?’s research found EVs are suitable for some drivers covering more than 15,000 miles a year and even those who live rurally.
The best EVs can now cover more than 200 miles on a single charge – including the current What Car? Car of the Year, the Kia e-Niro, which comes with a WLTP-approved 282-mile range and a What Car? Real Range of 253 miles under real-world driving conditions.
“Our previous research highlighted a ‘knowledge gap’ among new car buyers, with car manufacturers identified as not providing enough information on the benefits of owning an EV,” said What Car? editor Steve Huntingford.
“Since our research, many manufacturers have updated the information on their websites, but more could still be done. The more people learn about the benefits of running and owning an electric car, the faster the technology can reach its full potential.”
