Peugeot UK’s latest research reveals significant gaps in the public’s understanding of electric vehicles, with less than half being aware that battery electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe emissions. A surprising 12 percent also believe that plug-in hybrid cars and electric cars are exactly the same type of vehicle.
Less than a third of respondents know that electric models can be charged from 0-80 percent in just 30 minutes from a 100 kW rapid charger.
There is also misunderstanding around the electric vehicle charging network, with 70 percent of respondents saying they find the way different providers operate to be confusing.
The same percentage also finds the language surrounding electric vehicle power, battery capacity and efficiency difficult to understand, with only 31 percent aware that Kilowatt Hours (kWh) is the unit used to measure battery capacity in EVs.
In contrast, when asked which car powertrain they have the best understanding of, 67 percent cited petrol and diesel, compared to just 7 percent who chose electric powertrains.
The research also reveals that young people are more likely to think they have a strong understanding of electric vehicles, with 58 percent of 18-24-year-olds rating their knowledge as good or excellent. Meanwhile, half of those over 65 rate their understanding of electric vehicles as poor or very poor.
Nearly half (46 percent) of 18-24-year-olds correctly selected ‘Miles per kWh’ as the unit commonly used to measure efficiency in electric vehicles, compared to just 20 percent of over 65s.
When it comes to charging, 46 percent of 18-24-year-olds correctly stated that an electric car can be charged to 80 percent in as little as half an hour, compared to 23 percent of over 65s. 50 percent of 18-24-year-olds said it was true that in some UK cities, electric vehicle drivers do not have to pay for parking when charging, compared to 28 percent of over 65s.
Young people’s knowledge extends to other types of electric vehicles too, with 64 percent of 18-24-year-olds aware that electric vans are eligible for a UK government grant – a fact known by just 26 percent of those over 65.
Drivers’ perceived knowledge of electric vehicles also varies across the country. An impressive 10 percent of Londoners rate their understanding of electric vehicles as excellent - the highest of any region - whereas people in the North East claim to be least knowledgeable about electric vehicles, with 53 percent saying their understanding is poor or very poor.
Almost four out of five Londoners (79 percent) are familiar with the term ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ (ULEZ), with the capital’s own ULEZ set to expand across all boroughs from 29 August. Less than half (45 percent) of people from the North East are familiar with the term.
To help drivers understand the capabilities of electric vehicles, Peugeot UK has created a Range Calculator that allows drivers to predict how far their electric Peugeot can travel on a single charge, in a variety of conditions.
“Our research reveals there are still gaps in the public’s understanding of electric vehicles, with many motorists unaware that EVs such as the new Peugeot e-2008 offer zero tailpipe emissions and can be charged to 80 percent in just thirty minutes” said Adam Wood, Managing Director, Peugeot UK. “Peugeot is committed to helping customers understand the benefits of going electric, so they can find the model that’s right for them. By 2025, Peugeot will have a 100 percent electric version available across its entire model range, and in 2030 will sell only electric vehicles in the UK.”
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