More than half of consumers likely to buy an EV within 12 months, Alphabet finds

More than half of consumers are now likely to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) within the next 12 months, according to new research from Alphabet, which suggests growing confidence in electric motoring as affordability improves and charging infrastructure expands.

The findings come from on-the-ground polling conducted by Alphabet, a division of BMW Group and provider of multi-make business mobility solutions, during the Department for Transport’s (DfT) EV awareness campaign held at three Sainsbury’s supermarkets in St Albans, Harrogate and Ipswich.

The survey found that more than 50% of shoppers questioned said they were likely to purchase an EV within the next year. When asked what was attracting them to electric vehicles now, 30% cited the prospect of more affordable motoring, 26% pointed to improvements in charging infrastructure, and 19% highlighted the environmental benefits of sustainable mobility.

Despite the growing positivity, some barriers remain. The higher upfront cost of EVs compared with petrol and diesel vehicles was identified as the biggest obstacle by 42% of respondents, while 23% said concerns about the UK’s charging infrastructure had delayed their decision to switch.

Alphabet supported the campaign by supplying a BMW iX3 and a MINI Countryman for display at the events, giving shoppers the opportunity to see electric vehicles up close, speak to experts, learn about charging and the government’s Electric Car Grant, and arrange test drives with local dealerships.

“World events are affecting fuel prices, which is hitting people in the pocket. Additionally, there’s far greater price parity between EVs and their petrol and diesel counterparts, and there’s a notable increase in the number of EVs on the market compared to this time last year.

“The data captured from shoppers reveals that lots are positive about owning or driving an electric vehicle. And while there are still many challenges around residual values and uncertainty regarding future tax implications, drivers can see the huge investment into the charging infrastructure and the significant leaps in vehicle range. These help to dispel the misconceptions around owning an EV.”

The findings reflect broader trends across the UK EV market. Last month, the DfT reported that the number of licensed zero-emission vehicles on UK roads had surpassed two million for the first time, while the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recently reported that battery electric vehicle registrations increased by 59.1% year-on-year in April.

The research suggests that while affordability remains a key challenge, improving infrastructure, greater model availability and growing consumer awareness are helping to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility.