A survey by AA Populus (of over 10,000 UK drivers), commissioned for the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership’s 15th Annual Conference this week, found that over 70% of respondents would consider buying an electric vehicle.

The survey found that the key barriers to EV uptake are purchase price and the availability of public charging points. Uncertainty about aspects of the technology: vehicle range, the availability and accessibility of charging points, battery durability and service and repair infrastructure were also found to be of concern to potential buyers.

The ‘Road to Zero’ includes a target for the complete phase-out of conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040 and for 50-70% of cars to be ultra-low emission (below 50g/CO2 per km) by 2030, but many groups are calling for this target to be brought forward.

AA President Edmund King presented the results at the LowCVP Conference saying: “In order to meet the Government’s Road to Zero targets a concerted effort is required to demonstrate the benefits of EVs and dispel some of the myths. The range, charging speed and charging point infrastructure are all on the increase. There needs to be a more concerted effort by us all to sell the benefits of electric vehicles to consumers.”

For more information on hiring electric or low emission cars from Green Motion in the UK and around the world, visit www.greenmotion.com