Almost half over flat residents believe that switching to an EV is too challenging due to where they live.

Four in 10 flat residents say the move to EVs is more complex due to their living situation

New data from ChargeGuru finds that of the five million people living in flats in the UK, four in 10 (40%) say the move to EVs is more complex due to their living situation.

Regionally, the challenge is even more pronounced. In cities such as Brighton (59%), Leeds (50%), Liverpool (53%), and Norwich (60%), over half of flat residents report that their living situation significantly complicates the switch to EVs.

Flat residents often lack the convenience of personal parking spaces equipped with EV chargers, and 70% of respondents to the ChargeGuru survey said they are, or would be, completely reliant on public charging.

This, coupled with the fact that 53% of drivers living in flats are not aware of private charging solutions available to them, is stagnating the EV transition, according to ChargeGuru.

While only one in 10 flat dwellers currently drive an EV, the landscape is set to change dramatically. Over half (53%) are hoping to switch to an EV in the coming years, with 27% intending to do so within the next one to two years. This figure rises to 34% among 25- to 34-year-olds, indicating a growing trend towards electric mobility among younger generations.

Denis Watling, managing director, ChargeGuru UK, said the insights underscore the urgent need for property managers to work alongside residents and the industry to provide, or at least provide for, residential EV charging infrastructure.

He added: “The good news is that government support is readily available for property managers to install, or provide for, EV charge points at subsidised rates. At ChargeGuru, we are on a mission to engage property managers to enable them to become key facilitators of the EV transition and, ultimately, of the UK’s journey to net zero.

“With our zero-cost solution for freeholders and property managers, we are committed to addressing these barriers and supporting the UK’s path towards a more sustainable and accessible electric mobility future.”