PROMOTIONAL POST In association with Shell Recharge
The UK’s complex and multi-faceted transition from fossil fuel to electric power may be facing numerous challenges, but despite these initial headwinds it’s clear from the positive emerging trends that we’re steadily accelerating along the road to electrification. Consumer confidence in the viability of electric vehicles continues to grow, bolstered by advancements in battery technology, the narrowing of the price gap between electric vehicles and ICE vehicles, and the ever-widening choice of electric vehicles.
The latest research from Shell Recharge shows that the continued success of this evolution hinges not just on the continued expansion of the UK’s charging infrastructure, but ensuring that this growing network is fast, reliable and offers drivers the facilities they want when charging on-the-go. With subscription-free access to 35,000 charging points across the UK, Shell Recharge is one of the UK’s largest public charging networks, connected by the Shell Recharge app and charge card, and fully powered by 100% renewable electricity.*
Shell Recharge’s seventh annual Driver Programme report collated information from 33,696 interviews with EV drivers across key global markets. This extensive poll included 4815 EV drivers across the UK and, for the first time, it incorporated the responses of an additional 1072 non-EV drivers in the UK. Why include drivers of diesel and petrol vehicles? To better understand and identify the barriers to EV adoption, and how Shell Recharge can then support what it calls ‘EV intenders’ – those drivers intending to make the switch to electric power sooner rather than later.
According to Sasha Evans, Shell UK Mobility’s manager of eMobility, this latest report highlights increasing overall EV confidence in both vehicle range and easy access to on-the-go charging facilities:
- 51 % of UK drivers are happy to pay more for a public charger if it’s faster, which is well above the European average of 40%
- just 36% of UK EV owners also have a second ICE-powered car, illustrating the growing confidence consumers have in their EVs
- 53% of EV drivers in the UK worry less about range than they did 12 months ago, with 66% feeling that charging options have improved in the past year
- EV drivers surveyed drive further than their ICE-driving counterparts, with 42% covering more than 9500 miles per year, compared to 22% of ICE drivers covering the same distance
- 53% of UK drivers cite enjoyment of driving EV as a key benefit
- Journey planning and range-maximising driving styles have fallen in EV drivers from 58% to 47%
- And driving as efficiently as possible has fallen to 45% from 54%, showing a reduction in range anxiety and a growing confidence in available recharge facilities
‘While it is clear to see that more needs to be done to reassure some non-EV drivers, it is great to see that many EV drivers on the road today are benefiting from an established sense of confidence across the UK,’ says Evans. Shell Recharge is building on this consumer confidence by continuing to expand its extensive UK charge network. While that will call for a huge roll-out of services, the energy network will maintain its focus on getting the fundamentals of EV charging right from the get-go. It’s five focus points:
- Ensuring the Shell Recharge app and Shell’s charge card work hand-in-glove to deliver a seamless recharge experience
- Partnering with leading retailers to provide Shell Recharge customers with access to shops, food, drink, and toilets while charging their vehicles
- Continuing to use 100% renewable electricity* across all its charging points
‘As this confidence has been driven by improvements in the on-the-go charging experience, it is vital that we now double down on our commitment to deliver improved mobility solutions that can inspire greater range-confidence in EV drivers and non-EV drivers alike,’ says Evans. At a critical moment in the UK’s nascent EV journey, creating a fast, reliable and welcoming recharge network is just what many EV intenders need to accelerate that change.
Find out more here.
* Renewable electricity certified by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs), which means that all of the electricity Shell purchases to supply its Shell Recharge sites is matched with the equivalent amount of units from 100% renewable sources in the UK.