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Combat Electric Vehicle Fallacies With Government Promotions, Urges AA
The Automobile Association (AA) has called on the government to take immediate action in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and addressing the misinformation surrounding their adoption. According to a new report by the AA, many drivers are hesitant to switch to EVs due to misconceptions about the technology.
The report, titled “What do drivers want from the EV transition?”, highlights four distinct driver types: Rejectors, who have negative views on EVs; Doubters, who are neutral or unlikely to purchase an EV in the near future; Potentials, who may consider buying an EV as their next vehicle; and Adopters, who already own or have owned an EV.
The data reveals that a staggering 22% of drivers are “Rejectors,” unwilling to adopt EVs, while another 20% fall under the category of “Doubters.” In contrast, only 7% of drivers identify as “Adopters,” having either already purchased an EV or shown interest in doing so.
The AA urges the government to launch a public awareness campaign, led by both the government and industry, to promote the benefits of EVs and address the misconceptions that are hindering widespread adoption. This initiative aims to educate drivers on the facts surrounding EVs, such as the availability of fewer internal combustion engine cars for sale as the ban approaches.
The organization’s CEO, Jakob Pfaudler, emphasizes the importance of increased accessibility: “Our message to the government is that more needs to be done to make EVs accessible to everyone. Generally, drivers are hesitant, but most are not hostile to change. Our research shows many people are confused by the transition.”
The AA’s recommendations come as the UK’s Climate Change Committee calls for 80% of cars and 74% of vans to be electric by 2040.
