Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel
Truth is, the majority of EV drivers (with a few exceptions) won't ever go back to petrol or diesel. If it works for you, then it works. That likely requires the ability to charge at home, but the point remains that a high proportion of EV drivers are happy with their choice.
Nissan's figures show 95 per cent want another EV; Ford says 89 per cent of EV drivers don't go back to ICE; and our own Carwow Group data at Auto Express shows that 82 per cent of EV drivers say the same tech would be their first choice when they change vehicles. So there's clearly very little regret from those who've made the switch. Advertisement - Article continues below
So why is there still negativity about EVs? I get why full-on car lovers, people without off-street charging, and those who do regular journeys of more than 200 miles aren't keen. But for most, I think it's a comfort blanket of the familiar.
That's why we need to incentivise the transition. I'm not going to get into environmental arguments – that's a topic for another time – but governments feel the case is proven that EVs are better in terms of air quality, and they're the ones dictating the direction of travel. It's coming whether we like it or not.
But people clearly need a little help to convince them to go electric. It's worked brilliantly for company cars, because the Benefit-in-Kind tax regime has made EVs such a financial open goal. But for private buyers? Not so much.
Obviously, there's a question about whether we should be artificially boosting the EV market at all. If the tech is that good, why not give it time to be adopted organically rather than forced through? Humans are creatures of habit and, early adopters aside, tend to gravitate to what they know. Especially when there's scaremonger-fuelled fear that the regular journey you've managed in an ICE car for many years will suddenly become a problem-littered hell drive.
Two things that would help would be to reduce the cost of public charging – easily achieved by cutting the rate of VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on electricity (as it is at home) – and by coming up with ways to boost the used market. More used demand means values rise, leasing rates go down and more people can go for a new EV.
Do you agree with Paul? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
American ambassador to Italy so 'displeased' with official Roman villa he lived aboard yacht and 'commuted via helicopter'
A Texas billionaire turned US ambassador to Italy was so unhappy with his new official villa in Rome he lived aboard his superyacht for weeks. Tilman Fertitta, 68, was nominated to the ambassadorship by Donald Trump in December and confirmed by the Senate in April. However, the hospitality tycoon and owner of the Houston Rockets did not move into his official Roman residence, Villa Taverna, until July 10 following a 'series' of renovations to the property. Prior to that, Fertitta had reportedly been helicoptering in to his engagements on land, much to the annoyance of locals, Airmail reports. A spokesperson for his company, Fertitta Entertainment, confirmed to the Daily Mail that the ambassador opted to live on his $150million yacht during construction to the historic residence. 'Ambassador Fertitta has been living in Villa Taverna since July 10 and couldn't wait to move in with his family,' the spokesperson said. 'Several weeks prior, however, during the construction improvements to the family quarters (which he paid for), required that he live elsewhere. 'Rather than a hotel, he chose to commute from his yacht to the embassy, which amounted to only 3.5 weeks.' His 77-meter Feadship-brand vessel, called Boardwalk, has 12 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, six bars, a large mosaic pool and a helipad, according to Robb Report. Information on the number of rooms and amenities inside the Villa Taverna is not publicly available, and it is unclear what renovations Fertitta had done to the place. 'No changes have been made to the Villa and he honors its architecture, its history, and is quite excited to reside there during his ambassadorship,' Fertitta's company spokesperson insisted. However, a separate news release from the embassy notes, 'a series of careful renovations' at the historic home. The fifteenth-century Villa Taverna, commissioned by Cardinal Consalvi, was first rented by the US Embassy in 1933, according to the State Department. Villa Taverna is known for its rich history, lavish outdoor gardens and expansive art collections. 'The Villa and its historical gardens are filled with valuable art from antiquity through the Renaissance, to the nineteenth century,' the State Department said. On Wednesday, the State Department announced that Fertitta unveiled a new American art collection at the villa. 'The Villa's new collection, curated in partnership with the State Department's Art in Embassies program, reflects his belief in art as a bridge between cultures—sparking dialogue, telling stories, and enriching shared space,' the department said. The collection features pieces by American artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Frederic Remington, John Singer Sargent and Hans Hofmann. Before he moved into the residence, Fertitta hosted an Independence Day celebration at the villa with Italian leaders. Fertitta was born in Galveston but is of Sicilian descent.
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Nigel Farage urges Chancellor not to hike gambling taxes for horse racing
NIGEL Farage enjoys Glorious Goodwood yesterday — as he called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to not hike gambling taxes. The Reform UK leader warned of enormous damage if the 15 per cent duty is aligned to the 21 per cent for online casino-style games. 2 He said: 'I do think horse racing is different. "You're making an individual decision each time to have a bet. "There are checks and safeguards in place already.' The racing industry says finances will be badly hurt if the current rate is increased for online games. A Treasury consultation on the issue has now closed. He was speaking out as he attended the West Sussex racecourse as a guest of Scottish Dubai-based businessman Dr James Hay, who has previously donated to the Tory party. His wife Fitriani has also given £50,000 to Reform UK last year. Horse trainer John Gosden has warned British horse racing will be harmed by the punishing new betting tax. "I don't want to see our industry destroyed. It would be tragic. We are world leaders." Nigel Farage on leading the polls, being 'ready' to be PM & why he 'hopes people hate him' 2
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Lando Norris plays it very cool when asked on F1 title battle: ‘Won't matter once we're all dead'
Lando Norris has offered a remarkably philosophical take on his Formula One championship battle with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, declaring that the outcome ultimately matters little because "in 200 years we will all be dead". Norris arrives at the final round before Formula One's three-week summer shutdown 16 points adrift of Piastri, whose title momentum surged after last weekend's rain-affected race in Belgium. Despite starting on pole, Norris was overtaken by Piastri in treacherous conditions. With McLaren's current superiority, it is Piastri who has emerged as Norris's primary rival for this season's crown, holding six wins to Norris's four. When asked if he needs to get under the Australian's skin to secure his maiden F1 title, Norris replied: "I don't enjoy that. In 200 years no one is going to care. We'll all be dead. "I am trying to have a good time. I still care about it, and that's why I get upset sometimes and I get disappointed and I get angry at myself. And I think that shows just how much I care about winning and losing. But that doesn't mean I need to take it out on Oscar. I just don't get into those kind of things." Historically, intra-team title battles in F1 are fraught, but Norris maintains a pragmatic view. "Yes, he (Piastri) is the guy I want to beat more than anyone else," he admitted. "But if I don't beat him, then that's just because he has done a better job. I will do it the way I believe is best for me, and just because one person did it a few years ago, it doesn't mean you have to do that, too. I don't really care about those things." At the Hungaroring on Friday, Norris demonstrated his prowess with an impressive practice double, narrowly beating Piastri by just 0.019 seconds in the first session before extending his lead to nearly three tenths later in the day. Norris has an unblemished record of never being out-qualified by a team-mate in his six previous visits to this circuit, a promising sign from his practice performance. Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton, a record eight-time winner and nine-time pole-sitter in Hungary, struggled for pace. The 40-year-old, still seeking a podium in Ferrari colours, complained his car didn't "feel good" and ran off track after a major lock-up in the first session, ending the day sixth, three tenths and three places behind team-mate Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen, who recently committed his future to Red Bull for at least another season, also had an uncharacteristically difficult day, finishing a distant 14th in practice, 1.1 seconds slower than Norris. "I don't know what is going on," Verstappen radioed. "It is just undriveable." He also faced a stewards' investigation for throwing a towel from his cockpit but received only a warning.
