POLL: What extra support will convince you to buy an electric car as sales stutter?

New electric car sales may be faltering with initial demand for the new machines slowly tailing off in a major blow to manufacturers. 

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed new electric sales were up 18.8 percent year-on-year in the first quarter 

However, new and used car marketplace experts AutoTrader warn sales are “primarily driven by fleets” with private customer interest flagging. 

Data from the group shows the number of enquiries around new electric cars has fallen 65 percent year-on-year. 

With new models still set at thousands of pounds, VAT on charging and increased car tax charges around the corner, there are several reasons why motorists are not making the switch. 

According to recent polls, upfront cost is the biggest worry for most road users with many unable to afford to make the transition. 

AutoTrader’s Road to 2030 report found that 56 percent of road users surveyed consider EVs to be too expensive. 

However, the vehicle marketplace found that falling prices in the second-hand market were helping demand, with AutoTrader interest up almost 70 percent year-on-year.

A study from Anglia Ruskin University found that cost was the biggest barrier stopping them from buying an electric model.

A staggering 50 percent of those polled said upfront cost was the biggest concern, followed by 17 percent concerned about charging infrastructure. 

Amazingly, the survey found that just over a fifth (22 percent) of motorists were now less likely to buy an electric vehicle than they were five years ago.

Another major concern for road users is VAT around electric car charging, with some motorists paying hundreds more every month. 

Motorists will pay 20 percent VAT for charging an electric vehicle at a public bay compared to five percent at home, meaning those without off-street parking are affected. 

Campaigners have demanded urgent action on the issue but both parties remained silent on the topic during the General Election. 

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will be introduced for electric vehicles from April 2025.

It means electric vehicle owners will pay car tax for the first time with exemptions in place up until now. 

This brings EVs closer to petrol and diesel vehicles and means one of the biggest financial incentives will be lost.

To help spark a boost in the second-hand electric vehicle market, Labour has pledged to make changes to battery certification. 

In their manifesto, the party pledged to introduce standardised battery death certificates for used EVs to give motorists peace of mind. 

It comes after a poll from the Green Finance Institute found that battery health was the single biggest barrier to boosting used electric car sales.