New research by UK energy supplier OVO Energy states that when considering suitable products and services, British citizens are most concerned with getting better control of their energy consumption (49 percent) and saving money (42 percent). More than half of those living in the UK (51 percent) would choose an electric car over petrol or diesel if they could save money or make money in the long term.
The research has also found that an overwhelming knowledge gap is stopping many Brits from using the technology that would help them achieve those aims in the long-term. Based on the number of Nissan LEAF electric cars on UK roads at present, the research found that new vehicle-to-grid chargers could enable the cars’ owners to contribute more than 114 MW to the National Grid at any time; enough to power approximately 300,000 homes. Almost nine in ten people (87 percent) in the UK are unaware of this technology, which enables stored renewable energy from electric cars to be sold to the grid at peak times for money.
The research further showed that around two in five (38 percent) UK adults that own or intend to purchase a car in the next 12 months and were not aware that you could purchase this type of charger, would be more likely to buy an electric vehicle if they could use their car as a virtual power station.
Home batteries allow consumers to lower their energy bills by storing abundant electricity when it’s cheaper and using it around the home when national demand spikes and energy is most expensive. The research found that four out of five Brits (81 percent) are unaware this type of battery exists, but more than half (57 percent) would have one installed if it could save them money on energy bills by using energy outside of peak times.
“People are clearly keen to start their green journey, but a lack of knowledge means many are unaware of the full benefits of harnessing renewable energy” said Tom Pakenham, Director of Electric Vehicles at OVO Energy.
Although almost half of UK adults (47 percent) that own or intend to purchase a car in the next 12 months would be put off from buying an electric car because of cost, 57 percent would be more inclined to purchase an electric car if they received financial support from the government.
However, awareness of the Government Plug-In Car Grant – which can help people save on a selection of environmentally friendly electric and plug-in hybrid cars – is low, with 79 percent of people unaware of its existence.
The research also showed that more than a quarter of Brits (28 percent) hadn’t heard of the UK Government’s attempt to phase out diesel and petrol cars in the UK by 2040 and that a third of UK adults (34 percent) that own or intend to purchase a car in the next 12 months would be more likely to purchase an electric car knowing that the UK Government has this ambition to tackle air pollution. More than half (54 percent) of Brits believe that without improved energy storage technology (like home batteries), renewable energy will not be reliable enough for us to move to a 100 percent renewable energy future.
All figures in the research, unless otherwise stated, were from YouGov Plc. The total sample survey size was 2315 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th-12th February 2018 and the survey itself was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Image: Nissan LEAF
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