The majority of EV drivers in the North West say they don’t regret switching to an electric car, despite concerns for charging provision and rising energy prices.

The survey findings will help inform Be.EV’s work to continuing expanding its network, which will reach over 1,000 chargers by 2024

A study by Manchester-based EV charging network Be.EV of its members found 86% said they were either pleased or very pleased to have made the switch to electric, citing the driving experience (36%), cost savings (31%) and doing their bit for the environment (30%) as key reasons. And more than a third (39%) rely solely on an electric car, with no second car for back-up.

The study was carried out by Be.EV in October 2022 among a sample of its 16,000 members as part of its ongoing work to understand their needs and preferences. The findings will help inform the work to continuing expanding its network, which will reach over 1,000 chargers by 2024.

Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, said: “This survey paints a very encouraging picture; it shows that EVs are really working for drivers in the North West. What’s particularly positive is that this is not coming from EV evangelists or die-hards. For the vast majority of our members, their current EV is their first, and nearly 80% told us they bought it within the last two years.”

This confidence is despite the relative lack of public EV charging infrastructure in the region. Latest Department for Transport statistics show the North West has the lowest level of public charge points per 100,000 population of any English region (30 per 100,0000 people) – far behind the South East (49), West Midlands (42) and London (122).

Asif continued: “We’re keenly aware that it’s down to us and our partners in local authorities and business to address the current imbalance in public EV charging infrastructure.

“While our survey revealed that just under three-quarters of our current members can charge at home and are therefore less reliant on public charging infrastructure, for many people – for example those living in flats – home charging is not an option. We want absolutely everybody to be able to switch to electric driving with the confidence that they can charge their car quickly and easily.”

Be.EV works with local authorities to help drive charging rollout. Its biggest local authority tie-up to date – with Trafford Council in Greater Manchester – saw the first 19 of up to 100 charging bays go live this autumn.

The team also works with private businesses, NHS trusts, universities and other landowners to deliver EV charging on their land.