Surging interest in plug-in cars will see more than 350,000 homes across the fitted with an electric home charging system in the next five years.

Latest installation rates could see this rise to 362,270 wall boxes in UK driveways and garages by 2025

According to UK charging point installer Andersen, there are currently 120,000 home charge points installed but extrapolating latest installation rates could see this rise to 362,270 wall boxes in UK driveways and garages by 2025.

Its research was published just days before latest new car registration figures showed ultra-low emission vehicles accounted for more new car registrations than diesels in June, giving credence to ongoing reports that ULEVs hold the key to new car market recovery.

And Arval has also announced new research this week showing fleet intentions to adopt electrified vehicles have risen rapidly in the last 12 months, in particular for plug-in hybrids – driven largely by the new company car tax ratings for 2020/21 that see Benefit-in-Kind fall to 0%, rising to 1% in 2021/22.

It’s not just financial benefits at play though; recent research from Deloitte has shown that climate change and sustainability remain firmly on the agenda for today’s consumer. And analysis by fleet management firm Venson at the start of the UK pandemic found that the lockdown very quickly had a dramatic positive impact on people’s awareness of the benefits of reduced air pollution – with nearly half (45%) of drivers saying they were now considering a switch to electric vehicles in the future.

Jerome Faissat, commercial director of Andersen, said: “As we move towards a ‘new normal’ in the wake of the coronavirus, we’ve seen clear evidence that people want to change their habits so that they can move forward in a way that is more mindful. Over the past three months, pollution has fallen in our cities and we’ve enjoyed the cleanest air we’ve had in decades, and it’s inspired many to rethink the way they get around. We’re seeing people vote with their feet – as they make the switch to an electric car, bike or scooter.”