Less than 3% of EV drivers want to switch back to ICE
Almost 90% of EV drivers would never consider turning back to petrol or diesel cars, according to new data.
The Zapmap survey of EV owners found that just over 10% would even consider switching back to internal combustion (ICE) and less than 3% actively want to change back.
The figures were revealed in the latest Zapmap EV Charging Survey, which looks at driver satisfaction with their vehicles and their charging experience.
As with last year, the vast majority of owners were happy with their EV – with an average satisfaction rating of 87%. Around 83% would also not hesitate to recommend an EV to friends or family.
Value for money was among the key positives for EV owners. Asked about the benefits of owning an EV over an ICE vehicle, 78% said their car was more cost effective, while 73% also highlighted the environmental elements.
A substantial 65% also said the superior performance of their EV was among the key reasons for their satisfaction with it.
Public network still needs to improve
The survey also found growing levels of satisfaction with the public charging network but showed plenty of room for improvement.
It revealed that 86% of EV drivers have used the UK’s public charging network in the past year and 51% use it at least once a month.
Among those who use public chargers the average satisfaction score was just 64% percent, suggesting there is work to be done to provide a dependable, affordable network en route and at destinations.
However, 61% of drivers said the network had improved in the last year and only 7% thought standards had slipped.
Last month, Zapmap revealed the best and worst public operators as voted for by drivers, with the data showing that price, ease of use and reliability of chargers remained key concerns for motorings.
The 2024 survey also found shifts in the type of public chargers drivers use, reflecting the growth of large-scale charging hubs.
The proportion of drivers that use EV charging hubs – those with six or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices – has reached 53% this year, up from 47% last year and around 33% in 2022.
Zapmap data show that currently there are 486 rapid charging hubs across the UK which are open to all EVs. That represents a nearly doubling in the past year, from 264 at the end of 2023.
In contrast, supermarket car parks have declined in popularity. Half of drivers reported using them in 2022 but this has dropped to 32% in 2024, possibly due to the phasing out of free charging and the rise of alternative sites.
Motorway service stations remain the most frequently used public chargers. 58% of drivers said they regularly use motorway services, a minor increase on the 55% in 2023 and up from 48% in 2022, showing their growing importance to drivers making longer journeys.
Pivotal shifts
Jade Edwards, head of insights at Zapmap, commented: “The UK’s public charging network is evolving rapidly to meet the needs of an ever-growing number of EV drivers, and this survey highlights the pivotal shifts shaping the future of mobility and charging. These insights provide guidance for businesses,local authorities, and charge point operators as they plan for the next phase of infrastructure development.
“With motorway services and EV charging hubs now dominating as the most popular charging locations, our survey data shows how driver preferences are aligned with infrastructure investment.
“As the UK transitions to electric, with now over 1.3 million BEVs on our roads, it’s good to see EV drivers reporting an increase in satisfaction with the charging infrastructure, however to further improve on this, it is more important than ever for reliable, accessible, and efficient charging options to be available in the right locations to support this transformation.”
