Alfonso Martinez: How to encourage more drivers to switch to EVs

OUR research shows that most UK motorists have never had the opportunity to drive an EV, with just one in 10 drivers having ever sat behind the wheel of an EV. Without this first-hand experience, it’s easy to stick to what you know and avoid change. 

So, how can we get more people in EVs? Well, the first step is to give them a good incentive. 

Most drivers understand that EVs are better for the environment than petrol or diesel but the perceived higher costs are holding them back. 

Introducing measures such as reducing VAT on public charging, from 20% to 5%, and aligning it with plugging in at home, would be a useful step in incentivising the case for switching to EVs – especially for drivers without off-street parking. 

There also continues to be a degree of uncertainty around certain incentives such as

VED rates which are set to rise from April 2025 and will be equalised across all cars including electric vehicles. 

This sends mixed messages to drivers at a time when the Government is trying to encourage them to switch to battery power and could impact the adoption of EVs.  

Businesses too have a role to play in supporting the transition to EVs. Introducing incentives like salary sacrifice is one way of encouraging employees to switch to EVs. This offers a cost effective path to ‘ownership’ and opens the door for them to experience driving an electric vehicle.