Plymouth drivers ranked UK’s most reluctant to go electric ahead of 2030 ban

New research has ranked Plymouth as the UK city most reluctant to switch to electric vehicles ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

A study by National Scrap Car surveyed 2,000 drivers across the UK about their attitudes towards electric vehicles (EVs) and car ownership.

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It found that 40 per cent of drivers in Plymouth said they would “never” consider switching to an electric car. That was the highest percentage recorded in the study.

Across the UK as a whole, almost one in four drivers (24 per cent) said that “nothing” would motivate them to switch to an EV.

The research comes as the UK prepares for a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. 

After that date, only new electric and hybrid models will be available to buy.

The wider study also ranks Plymouth as the tenth UK city most likely to keep a car until it needs to be scrapped, with 7 per cent of drivers saying they would keep their vehicle until it can no longer be driven.

Almost half of those surveyed (47 per cent) said they would keep their current car for longer if it proved cheaper than switching to a different vehicle.

On average, UK drivers said they spend £4,903.74 on their car over the course of ownership. 

More than a third (38 per cent) spend between £1,000 and £4,999, while 11 per cent spend between £10,000 and £20,000.

Insurance costs were also highlighted. Nearly two-thirds of drivers (65 per cent) reported that their insurance premium had increased in the past 12 months, with 16 per cent describing the rise as “significant”.

The survey found that 58 per cent of UK drivers plan to keep their cars for three years or less. Only 8 per cent said they would keep their vehicle until it needed to be scrapped.

Motoring expert Saul Turner, from National Scrap Car, said: “Our study clearly shows that the rising cost of motoring is forcing a fundamental shift in how UK drivers view car ownership.

“It’s no longer about keeping a car for its full lifespan; for most, the financial pressure to switch to a newer, cheaper-to-run vehicle after just a few years is simply too great.”

He added: “However, our findings also show that cars don't necessarily have to be seen as disposable, and if drivers grow emotionally attached to their vehicle, they may just be willing to ‘go the long haul’ until they need to be scrapped.”