Lack of charging infrastructure is the biggest barrier to electric vehicle uptake, say drivers in LeasePlan research

More than half of drivers have a favourable view of EVs, but 64% said insufficient charging infrastructure is preventing them from making the change

Drivers view benefits of electric vehicles favourably, but lack of infrastructure is cited as one of the biggest barriers to adoption, according to LeasePlan’s annual Mobility Monitor.

The leasing company put the report together with global research firm Ipsos. It surveyed over 4,000 people across 16 different countries on the big issues facing drivers and the automotive industry in 2019.

Of those surveyed 58% in the UK said they view zero-emission electric driving favourably, 47% said their opinion on EV driving has improved in the last three years and 30% intend to drive an EV in the next five years.

UK Mobility Monitor respondents say driving electric will help to fight climate change (70%), will help improve air quality (48%) and EVs will have lower running costs (71%).

EV infrastructure urgently needed for the future

While the majority of people surveyed view electric vehicles favourably, practical concerns surrounding infrastructure present an active barrier to entry. 

Of those planning to buy a car in the next five years, 64% said insufficient charging infrastructure is preventing them from choosing an EV, while limited driving range, or “range anxiety” was the reason for another 62%.

In Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, more than 6 in every 10 respondents who plan to buy/lease a car in the next five years said a lack of electric charging stations would stop them from making the switch to electric driving.

For those who said they would not choose an EV as their next car, 85% said there was insufficient public charging, while 49% see charging at work as an area of concern.

Tex Gunning, Leaseplan chief executive, said: “Our 2019 Mobility Monitor shows that public demand for zero-emission mobility far outpaces currently available EV infrastructure. 

“We need to fix this now. The European Commission, together with national governments and local authorities, must step up and act on citizen demand for zero-emission mobility by investing in a comprehensive, pan-European charging infrastructure.”