Over eight in ten tradespeople (83 per cent) either own or would like to invest in an electric vehicle in the future, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance. This is significantly more than the motoring public – just 54 per cent of whom either own or wish to switch to an electric model.
Tradespeople who want to make the switch are more interested in the practical benefits of electric vehicles than those outside the sector. Of those who either own or want to purchase an electric vehicle, more than one in five (21 per cent) would do so because of cost savings on fuel.
Interestingly, only 15 per cent want to switch to an electric vehicle because it is better for the environment. This is fewer than the public at large, of whom nearly one quarter (23 per cent) would own an electric vehicle because they’re more sustainable.
The news follows the Government announcing that it is investing £620 million in grants for electric vehicle and street charging points, as part of its ambition to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. It comes as global leaders are meeting in Glasgow for the COP26 conference, which runs from 31st October- 12th November.
Tradespeople are also more optimistic about the availability of charging infrastructure than the general population. Over half (53 per cent) expect this to be commonplace within five years, which is significantly higher than the proportion among the public (30 per cent).
They also display more positive attitudes towards the future of vehicle ownership and their environmental impact.
Almost half (46 per cent) of tradespeople expect electric vehicle ownership to outnumber petrol and diesel vehicles within the sector by 2026 – a figure that increases to 72 per cent within a decade.
Among the public, just 15 per cent believe that electric vehicle ownership will outnumber petrol or diesel models within the next five years – only increasing to 41 per cent over the next decade – suggesting again that tradespeople are more optimistic than the general population.
Over half (55 per cent) of tradespeople think that electric vehicles will make a tangible impact on pollution and sustainability by 2026, compared with just 20 per cent of the public. 46 per cent believe that there will be a stigma attached to driving a petrol or diesel vehicle within 5 years – again, significantly more than the general population, with just 20 per cent predicting this.
More information on Direct Line business insurance’s Electric Van cover can be found here.
For more information on the pros and cons of low emission vans please click here.
