Driver appetite for electric vehicles continues to rise, aided by employer salary sacrifice schemes, according to Tusker’s 2024 survey.

Some 40% respondents said they plan to get an EV next time they change cars; up from 35% in 2023

Findings from this year’s edition of its annual driver survey reveal 40% respondents say they plan to get an EV next time they change cars (up from 35% in 2023), while 22% expect to get a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Only 10% intend to get a petrol car and 4% a diesel (down from 20% and 9% respectively last year).

Of the drivers who don’t have a car on the Tusker scheme and don’t currently own an EV, 67% said they plan to switch in the next four years, and 38% say they would choose an EV if they were to change their car tomorrow.

For those who plan to buy or lease an EV as their next car, 62% say that the tax benefits available via a salary sacrifice scheme would be a key incentive, while 60% cite the cheaper running costs. In addition, 52% say that the environmental benefits would be a factor in their decision to go electric.

The latest Leasing Outlook report from the BVRLA, published in July and featuring Q1 2024 data, shows salary sacrifice is up 63% year on year, with the overwhelming majority of those registrations involving electric cars.

Kit Wisdom, managing director, Tusker, said: “It’s undeniable that company car and salary sacrifice schemes are playing a major part in supporting EV take up. Industry data shows that recent growth in EV market share could not have been achieved without the significant benefits linked to salary sacrifice. These results underline that incentives have played a critical role in supporting the uptake of EVs to date – and it’s vital that the Government ensures that the incentives remain stable and strong enough to encourage more consumers and businesses to switch.”

When it comes to customer views on their EVs, 93% of Tusker drivers said they are either satisfied or very satisfied with their car, while 96% said their cars are reliable or very reliable.

Wisdom continued: “EV drivers are incredibly happy with their vehicle choices. This year’s survey showed the high – and rising higher – levels of satisfaction EV drivers have about their cars; just 3.5% of EV driver respondents said they’d go back to a petrol or diesel car.”

Non-EV drivers still have concerns, however. The most common is the range of electric cars, followed by the public charging infrastructure and initial vehicle cost.

However, 86% of EV drivers said their car’s range was sufficient for everyday use, and 78% only need to use the public charging network once a month or less.

Tusker’s study was carried out in April 2024 with 5,942 UK employees taking part. Respondents included 4,331 employed driving licence holders, 1,316 electric vehicle drivers with a Tusker scheme and 295 petrol vehicle drivers with a Tusker scheme.

To read the Tusker EV Driver Survey 2024 in full, click here.