Inflation and soaring bills putting brakes on switch to electric vehicles in UK

The RAC says the proportion of drivers who now do not know when they will go electric has risen from 36% to 42% year on year, with those expecting to do so in the next five years falling from 17% to 15%. Photograph: John Walton/PA

A record number of drivers want their next car to be electric, but the cost of living crisis is forcing many to delay making the switch to a more eco-friendly vehicle.

The RAC said a record 14% of drivers say their next car will be electric, up from 10% last year and just 3% in 2018. A further 29% said they intended to switch to a hybrid vehicle of some description, which combines petrol and electric power.