Full charge ahead: no room for hesitation in the UK’s battery EV future
Banning new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 is just one step toward the UK’s sustainable transport future, where EVs play a crucial role. However, the path from fossil fuel to electric vehicles, and net zero is not running smoothly. Here, Dunstan Power delves into drivers’ concerns and examines the multifaceted approach needed to successfully navigate the UK’s electric vehicle transition, while offering his insights as MD of EV charging consultancy, Versinetic.
A recent survey explored UK drivers’ readiness for EVs and the incentives that could encourage them to make the switch. The results revealed significant hesitancy, with a majority of UK drivers (90%) unprepared for this shift. 79% believe the ban, set to take effect within a decade, is happening too soon. There were concerns about purchase prices, running costs and maintenance, charging infrastructure, range anxiety, and unfamiliarity with the technology.
It’s important, however, to note that most drivers have great experiences with EVs. A report in December 2024 released by the Global EV Drivers Alliance confirmed 92% of current EV drivers say they would never go back to a petrol vehicle. This overwhelming satisfaction highlights the real benefits of EVs – often overshadowed by misconceptions and hesitation.
The UK could learn from nations like Norway. Norway once faced similar concerns, yet with strong leadership and incentives, it now leads in EV adoption. The country has successfully navigated its EV transition through strong government support and clear leadership. The Norwegian Parliament made it a national goal that all new cars sold by 2025 should be zero emission (electric or hydrogen) and, last year, 88.9% of new cars sold in the country were fully electric. It is an excellent example of how widespread EV adoption is achievable via a strategic countrywide approach. This shows that with the right approach, the transition is not only possible but also highly rewarding.
The UK government has launched incentives to encourage the adoption of EVs, including grants to offset the initial purchase cost. In January 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves strengthened Labour’s push for EV adoption, introducing financial aid under the government’s net zero plan. The government is also offering tax benefits to reduce running costs and investments that will be spent on expanding the public charging network.
This year, the UK government will introduce new vehicle tax, and benefit-in-kind (BiK) rates for electric vehicles; and also increase the percentage of pure electric cars that manufacturers must sell. While efforts like these are laudable, they still haven’t fully addressed the public’s underlying concerns.
To foster public confidence in EVs, proactive, clear, and consistent communication is needed to educate the public about the realities of EV ownership. This includes providing accurate information about the total cost of ownership, addressing range anxiety, and highlighting the environmental benefits.
Potential EV drivers need to be made aware of the performance and technology benefits that modern EVs bring to the table. For example, smoother acceleration, instant torque, reduced wear and tear, energy efficiency, and quieter and cleaner operation.
EVs eliminate the noise, pollution, and frequent trips to petrol stations that come with traditional cars. They also have significantly lower servicing costs and are far less likely to catch fire compared to petrol vehicles. In fact, petrol cars are 20 times more likely to catch fire than EVs. If EVs were already the norm and we were being asked to switch to petrol cars, the resistance would likely be far greater than it is today.
While EVs may have a higher upfront cost, their lower maintenance expenses, fuel savings, and government incentives result in substantial long-term savings. Modern EVs offer extended ranges, making them suitable for daily commutes and longer trips with strategic charging stops. Route-planning apps assist drivers by identifying charging stations and optimising travel times, ensuring sufficient battery charge throughout the journey. Additionally, the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure and advancements in fast-charging technology are making running out of power increasingly unlikely. Public charging points increased by 47% in 2023 and in 2024 public charging points grew again, this time by 19%.
However, the main barrier to complete adoption remains the provision of affordable on-street charging with pricing in-line with those who can charge off-street. This problem is particularly acute in London where only 44% of residents have off-street parking versus a national average of 68%(RAC). There are numerous innovative companies, many based in the UK, addressing this challenge with a range of solutions from street-light charging, through to chargers that retract into the pavement when not in use.
Each of these new on-street charging solutions has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. A simple, yet problematic, approach involves trailing cables across pavements from home sockets. While cheap to implement initially, this poses significant safety hazards and is often illegal. Burying the cable in a pavement gully offers a slight improvement in safety, but still presents potential issues and relies on the ability to be able to park outside the car owner’s house.
Traditional pillar chargers, while safe and capable of higher charging rates, require significant excavation for installation and power supply. Lamppost chargers, common in London, leverage existing infrastructure but may not be conveniently located. In countries that use overhead electricity power lines such as Australia and North America, chargers mounted on the wooden distribution poles are used with relatively low installation cost.
Innovative solutions are also appearing. One UK company offers a removable pole system, minimizing street clutter when not in use. Pop-up chargers offer a discreet option, ideal for heritage locations, but come with higher installation and maintenance costs. Even existing street furniture, like road signs or phone boxes, could potentially be repurposed for charging.
However, all these public charging solutions that run through charge point operators, currently have expensive electricity rates compared to the cable dangled across the street that can run from a homeowner’s low-cost tariff. This price differential is more acute in the UK that most other countries and needs to be addressed to make the cost of ownership more equitable for EV owners who are unable to charge from their own electricity supply.
As well as the challenge for those who park on street, apartment dwellers similarly can have difficulties with getting landlords to enable charging in their car parks. The technology exists to allow charging in almost any car park type, the barriers are with the initial installation cost and red-tape that has to be overcome with property manager companies and electricity suppliers. Again, this is an area ripe for government assistance to make this easier for tenants.
Local authorities and property owners must proactively address the impending demand for on-street charging. By preparing now, local authorities and property owners can not only meet the growing demand for on-street EV charging but also capitalise on the associated benefits, including increased property values.
The shift away from fossil fuels is inevitable—not just because of the urgent need to address climate change, but also because fossil fuels are a finite resource. From an energy security standpoint, relying on them is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Unlike EV batteries, fossil fuels are not recyclable. By transitioning to EVs, we’re not just making a choice for the environment; we’re investing in our energy independence.
A shift to EVs also presents multiple economic opportunities for the UK, from creating new jobs to establishing the country as a leader in the global EV market. The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) market is growing, though at a slower pace than that seen in China, which is seen as the home of electric vehicles. Electric models accounted for almost one in five car registrations in the UK during 2024, with a record 382,000 sold.
By embracing innovation and encouraging collaboration, the UK can not only achieve its climate goals but also reap the economic benefits of this technological revolution. And, addressing public concerns through targeted government support, investing in robust charging infrastructure, and effectively communicating the numerous benefits of EV ownership, the UK can overcome this initial resistance and pave the way for a cleaner, quieter and more efficient transportation landscape, where electric vehicles are the norm, not the exception.
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Full charge ahead: no room for hesitation in the UK’s battery EV future
