New generation of British car owners plans to go electric
Electric cars represent a relatively small number of new-car sales today, however a new British study has found that the newest generation of drivers has a different attitude, as they are much more used to the concept of electric motoring. A survey of 800 teenagers aged 14 to 17 conducted jointly by the industry and the UK Government-funded “Go Ultra Low” campaign, found that younger drivers in the UK have a more favourable view of electric cars, with 81% of 14-year-olds saying they plan to make the first car they buy an electric one. Furthermore, 88% said that more people should be driving plug-in cars today, regardless of their age. 53% cited low running costs as a priority when choosing a car, and only around a quarter said they wanted a car that "feels good to drive in."

GETTY More young people than ever want the first car they buy to be electric

The views of 800 young people aged between 14 and 17 were sought by the joint industry and government-funded Go Ultra Low campaign, which is seeking to increase the number of car buyers considering ultra-low-emission vehicles by helping them understand their benefits, cost savings and capabilities. The study found that 81% of 14-year-olds plan to make the first car they buy an EV, as prospective drivers are more focused on a low emission future and look to benefit from the increased availability of used electric cars.

GETTY Slumping petrols prices have kept demand for hybrid cars down recently

The young people interviewed also said that their generation tends to associate electric cars with lower carbon dioxide emissions (56%), cleaner air (48%), and ‘the types of cars that everyone will be driving one day’ (34%). Today’s learner drivers also said that they want to driver a cleaner, greener car when they pass their test, while 88% of all the young people surveyed felt that more motorists, regardless of their age, should be driving a plug-in car in 2015.

Of the benefits that EVs offer that tomorrow’s drivers considered, top of the list was running costs of as little as 2p per mile to drive (53%), followed by the cars’ contemporary technology (29%) and the ability to travel distances of up to 700 miles (32%) also ranking highly. More than a quarter of young people also felt that a car that ‘feels good to drive in’ was a key consideration.

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GETTY Tesla was founded in Silicon Valley in 2003 and have been making electric cars ever since

Dr Pearson commented: “Young people are very aware of environmental issues and it is great that they also notice that electric cars will be cheaper to run, so it is a clear win-win. Battery technology continues to improve, and the amount of resources needed to make an electric car will continue to fall.

These technology developments will all add up, greatly reducing the environmental impact of cars while making them safer and cheaper. If current trends towards electric cars continue this means that, by 2026, demand for electric cars will almost certainly outweigh demand for 'traditionally fuelled' cars.”

GETTY Electric/hybrid 4x4s are becoming more popular