More than half of van drivers have yet to make the switch to electric models – as they are worried about charging times, battery life, and the initial cost of buying one new. A poll of 500 adults who drive vans found that 57 per cent are still driving a petrol or diesel model – with 16 per cent of these held back from making the switch by reservations over the charging time of an electric van.
Other worries include doubts over the initial cost of buying an EV (16 per cent), running out of charge – or range anxiety – (15 per cent), and a perceived lack of charging points (13 per cent). And 13 per cent are put off because they don’t have a charging station at home, with 12 per cent fearful over the cost of repairs.
Despite the concerns, a quarter (26 per cent) of those who drive a petrol or diesel van for work believe their company would be perceived more positively if they were to make the switch. The research was commissioned by Ford as part of its latest “Go Electric” report, which aims to highlight the challenges and benefits of Britain’s move towards electric vehicles.
