Bold reality check: EV adoption isn’t a locked-in promise yet—buyers still need guidance and the system still needs work. That’s the core takeaway from a recent session with Ginny Buckley, co-founder of Electrifying.com, on the latest Car Dealer Podcast. Buckley’s team, through Electrifying’s consumer survey, found that charging fears and practical questions remain the biggest hurdles for people considering an electric vehicle.
Here’s what’s happening. Westminster currently has nearly 3,000 EV chargers, but many northern cities—Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, and beyond—are lagging behind. Buckley argues that the government must take a stronger lead in leveling the playing field and improving national visibility and accessibility of charging infrastructure.
In her interview with hosts James Baggott and Jon Reay, Buckley shared the latest findings from Electrifying.com’s annual survey, conducted with the AA. The survey sampled over 13,000 UK drivers and revealed notable uncertainties among potential EV buyers:
- Almost half (just under 50%) lack confidence in driving an EV and in making the switch.
- About two-thirds doubt how charging works or where to charge.
For newcomers to electric driving, basic questions remain essential: how much range is truly needed for a typical week, how to charge efficiently, and why winter weather reduces range. Buckley emphasizes that new EV drivers still require clear, practical guidance on these essentials.
There are genuine concerns about charging infrastructure visibility and availability. Buckley points out the stark imbalance: Westminster’s charger density dwarfs the combined total of the big northern cities, which helps explain why EV adoption tends to cluster in certain areas. She argues for more national effort to support used EVs, which she sees as a crucial lever for broader adoption.
The Electrifying.com survey also found attitudes toward running costs: only 14% of non-EV motorists believe electric cars are cheaper to run overall than petrol or diesel vehicles. In addition, 55% of respondents said they would be discouraged from going electric if a pay-per-mile tax were introduced.
Industry voices have criticized the proposed tax, arguing it could undermine EV adoption efforts. Buckley calls the plan “poorly thought through.” The Treasury defends the measure as a necessary step to offset declining fuel-duty revenues, noting that EV drivers would still pay roughly half the duty of petrol drivers.
The survey was conducted in collaboration with the AA, whose president, Edmund King, underscored the ongoing work needed: mainstream drivers require accurate information, incentives, and visible charging infrastructure to make the leap to electric vehicles. Early adopters may have switched, but the majority still needs clearer guidance and reliable incentives to feel confident about going electric.
If you’d like to dive deeper, you can catch the Car Dealer Podcast episode or follow Electrifying.com for the full survey insights and updates on charging infrastructure, used EVs, and cost comparisons.
Would you be willing to share your thoughts in the comments? Do you think the government should intensify efforts to standardize charging access nationwide, or do you believe market-driven solutions will suffice? And how would you weigh the importance of pay-per-mile charges versus upfront incentives for EV adoption?
