Despite the increasing take-up of electric vehicles, families are still reluctant to rely on them for longer journeys, according to new research.

Tim Buchan, CEO, Zenith

Independent leasing company Zenith polled nearly 2,800 of its EV customers on their experience of driving an electric vehicle. The findings, revealed in its second EVXperience Report (EVX2), reveal that over half (51%) of said they still have a second vehicle which is petrol/diesel. The vast majority (73%) have no plans to get rid of these and go fully electric any time soon, suggesting the “two-car family” could be holding back the EV transition.

The study also showed continued concerns with EV range anxiety. Half (50%) of EV drivers mainly use their vehicles for short trips (up to 30 miles), while only 18% use them for longer trips (60 miles plus).

Over a quarter (26%) said they were not confident doing longer trips, with the most common reasons cited being unreliable public charging (36%) and range anxiety (34%).

Zenith said the research clearly shows continued anxiety about travelling longer distances and a reluctance among households to go fully electric.

Tim Buchan, CEO, Zenith, said: “Since our first EVX report in February 2023, we’ve seen a five-year delay to the 2030 deadline, motorway ultra-rapid charging targets being missed, and increased misinformation about the EV driving experience. It’s not surprising that the latest intake of EV drivers are coming to the EV world with less confidence than the first generation of adoptees.”

He added: “We know EVs are the future of mobility, so we hope more work is done on providing certainty, starting with the Government confirming its commitment to net zero with measures that support drivers to make the transition, and additional investment in our charging infrastructure, so it has a chance to catch up with consumer needs.”