Nearly half (42%) of UK drivers expect to go electric in the next five years, rising to 73% for 18-34 year-olds.

The research – carried out among 2,001 UK adults by Marston’s and Osprey – reveals the accelerating shift towards EVs, driven in part by the pandemic. More than a third (38%) of respondents are more concerned about air pollution as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

And a similar proportion (37%) are less likely to use public transport because of the pandemic, with over half of those (55%) likely to switch to a private car, potentially accelerating the shift to EVs.

But the research also highlights some of the remaining barriers to adoption for UK drivers.

This includes charging; the number of public charging points and their availability (48%) and length of time it takes to charge a vehicle (43%) prove to be the biggest concerns with public charging infrastructure.

Almost two-thirds (59%) would prefer to use rapid public charging infrastructure compared to other charging speeds available. And more than a third (36%) of people would be encouraged to use public EV charging if there were good quality food and drink facilities at EV charging sites.

The research has been published by pub and retailing giant Marston’s and rapid EV charging network Osprey (previously known as Engenie) announce their landmark 100th rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging site.

The two announced late 2018 that they were teaming up to help deliver mass market EV charging infrastructure and are on track, despite the lockdown, to deliver a total of 400 rapid EV chargers installed across 200 sites by 2022.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey, said: “With the ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars less than 10 years away, it’s crucial to support EV drivers with the infrastructure that they want – rapid, convenient and accessible to all. Our partnership with Marston’s will continue to meet the needs of EV drivers and allow them to enjoy great food and drink facilities while they top up.”