An extremely important consideration and perhaps one of the biggest practical barriers facing the EV progression is the Social and Behavioural factors such as the opinion of the public with regards to EV and the changes that people would need to make in order to accommodate EV.
In this section the current opinion of the Public to EV is outlined. Considering this the possible factors which could deter or motivate a change in this opinion are outlined. The impacts that public opinion could have on the EV progression is then discussed.
The social and behavioural implications of are intrinsic to each section of this project and so are discussed throughout the website. However this page provides an overview of some factors which greatly affect public opinion.
In this section the current opinion of the Public to EV is outlined. Considering this the possible factors which could deter or motivate a change in this opinion are outlined. The impacts that public opinion could have on the EV progression is then discussed.
The social and behavioural implications of are intrinsic to each section of this project and so are discussed throughout the website. However this page provides an overview of some factors which greatly affect public opinion.
Current Opinion
The current opinion of the public in the UK is one of scepticism in the electric vehicle. As the market is still currently in the innovators stage, the public has yet to move toward purchasing an EV. A positive opinion is essential to ensure that the progression occurs.
A survey by Transport Scotland (1) (2) shows the opinion of the public regarding buying a plug-in electric car or van and the reasons for buying them. This study is shown in the tables below.
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As can be seen in table 49, around half of the sample group said they would not consider buying an electric car or van. This emphasises a negative view of electric vehicles and the reluctance of the public to move toward purchasing. It seems the prime motivators for buying an EV is the fuel or running cost, and the environmentally friendly aspect.
Although this is a small sample size focussed in Scotland, it shows a plausible ratio for Great Britain and the UK.
Although this is a small sample size focussed in Scotland, it shows a plausible ratio for Great Britain and the UK.
Deterrents
Collectors
People who collect classic cars may be reluctant to buy new electric vehicles as they are not collectors’ items. However, this could be overcome with the possibility of retrofitting old cars. It is also possible that an ICE car could become like a collector’s item. As the 2040 ban only includes the sale of new ICE cars, old combustion cars could still be used.
Lifestyle Changes
The inconvenience that having an EV would impose on an individual compared with ICE contributes to why someone would not buy an EV.
Currently the speed of charging an electric vehicle could be a deterrent as people may not want to spend up to an hour publically charging their vehicle when they could refuel an ICE in less than five minutes. This is an inconvenience that could deter people from buying an EV, especially people who spend a lot of time on the road such as taxi drivers or delivery people. This time to charge is time that they are not working and therefore losing money.
Another problem with charging is the inability of half the population to domestically charge as outlined in the charging section. This would mean people need to charge publicly. This inability is likely to deter potential customers as they would have to spend time at a public charging space, and as outlined above, this time could be a significant inconvenience.
People who collect classic cars may be reluctant to buy new electric vehicles as they are not collectors’ items. However, this could be overcome with the possibility of retrofitting old cars. It is also possible that an ICE car could become like a collector’s item. As the 2040 ban only includes the sale of new ICE cars, old combustion cars could still be used.
Lifestyle Changes
The inconvenience that having an EV would impose on an individual compared with ICE contributes to why someone would not buy an EV.
Currently the speed of charging an electric vehicle could be a deterrent as people may not want to spend up to an hour publically charging their vehicle when they could refuel an ICE in less than five minutes. This is an inconvenience that could deter people from buying an EV, especially people who spend a lot of time on the road such as taxi drivers or delivery people. This time to charge is time that they are not working and therefore losing money.
Another problem with charging is the inability of half the population to domestically charge as outlined in the charging section. This would mean people need to charge publicly. This inability is likely to deter potential customers as they would have to spend time at a public charging space, and as outlined above, this time could be a significant inconvenience.
Motivators
Environmental Consciousness
As shown by the Transport Scotland survey, an important motivator for people to buy an electric vehicle is the environmentally friendly aspect. The fact that Electric Vehicles do not emit Carbon Dioxide or Nitrous Oxides is and incentive to purchase an EV in order to be more environmentally friendly. However there are factor such as Lithium and Particulates that must be considered with EV.
For further information on the sustainability of EV, see the sustainability section.
Cost
The other main motivator is fuel and running cost. However, this could increase with time due to tax on electricity, and the likely loss of government incentives. See the economics section.
As shown by the Transport Scotland survey, an important motivator for people to buy an electric vehicle is the environmentally friendly aspect. The fact that Electric Vehicles do not emit Carbon Dioxide or Nitrous Oxides is and incentive to purchase an EV in order to be more environmentally friendly. However there are factor such as Lithium and Particulates that must be considered with EV.
For further information on the sustainability of EV, see the sustainability section.
Cost
The other main motivator is fuel and running cost. However, this could increase with time due to tax on electricity, and the likely loss of government incentives. See the economics section.
