Drivers buying or leasing electric vehicles or hybrid cars have different priorities compared to petrol and diesel models.

Less than half (48%) of EV buyers cited price as a priority

A new study by Aviva found that price is the main priority for the UK car drivers it surveyed, regardless of the type of vehicle purchased. Across all vehicle types, it came out top (67%), followed by mileage if buying a used car (31%) and fuel economy (30%).

But less than half (48%) of EV buyers cited price as a priority, compared to nearly three-quarters (72%) of those who bought a petrol car and just under two-thirds (65%) of those who purchased a diesel model. Just above half (53%) of hybrid car buyers said price was their top priority.

Instead, those who bought EVs and hybrids tend to put more emphasis on things such as performance – cited by 29% of EV buyers compared to 19% for petrol/diesels – and in-car technology as well as environmental impact which was cited one of the top three priorities for one in five (20%) by EV buyers.

Asked why they have decided to buy or lease an EV or hybrid vehicle, most motorists surveyed who have bought or leased an EV/hybrid vehicle in the last three years said to save money on fuel (41%), while one in six (16%) decided to do so to reduce the impact on the environment. Just over one in ten (11%) motorists also said they chose an EV or hybrid vehicle for better performance and one in 10 said for a quieter, smoother drive (10%).

The research also reveals that almost two-thirds (60%) of EV buyers had concerns before they bought their car. After cost (47%) which was cited as the main concern, EV buyers were most concerned about charging point availability (31%), range (28%), recharging time (27%) and battery longevity (26%).

But despite the concerns, the majority of EV drivers remain wedded to their cars. Nearly nine in ten (86%) EV buyers said their next car is likely to be an EV as well.

What were your main concerns before deciding to buy an EV? Please tick up to three: (Respondents who have bought an EV in the last three years and had concerns before deciding to do so)

Matthew Washer, head of connected motor at Aviva, commented: “Our research shows the appetite for electric and hybrid models remains high but many motorists still have concerns and there is work to be done to convince everyone that the benefits outstrip any downsides.

“To give our customers with EVs one thing less to worry about, Aviva has teamed up with the RAC to offer out-of-charge as standard, enabling them to carry on their journey or get home safely if running out of charge.

“We’ve got them covered at home, too. If their home charging point breaks down, or the wiring between it and the fuse box does, we’ll send a HomeServe engineer to repair or replace it.”