Recent research found that the used car market could help more than 17 million drivers in the UK ditch their old petrol and diesel vehicles in favour of electric cars.
It stated that if key issues, like battery health and affordability, could be eased, the UK could see enormous growth in the EV used car market.
In 2021, used vehicles made up 82 percent of all cars sold in the UK, with estimates showing the market could be worth more than £180billion in four years.
Joanne Robinson, director of lenders at Zuto, commented on the current state of the used car market and what needs to be done to make it more attractive to motorists.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she said: “There has certainly been an increase in consumers’ interest in EVs.
READ MORE: UK motorists warned of driving in Spain this summer with Clean Air Zone fines
“According to one of our recent surveys, over half (53 percent) of our customers said they would consider buying an electric or hybrid car in the next two to three years, which clearly shows that there is a growing demand.
“It’s important to note, though, that this is coming from quite a low starting point, and second-hand EVs make up a relatively small proportion of what we do at Zuto today.”
Joanne Robinson also highlighted how interest from potential buyers is continuing to grow as time goes on, with some key factors playing a role.
She spoke about the cost of living crisis and how many people are trying to limit their spending, especially when it comes to a big ticket item like a car.
With many second-hand petrol and diesel vehicles on the market for hundreds or thousands of pounds, some drivers will naturally purchase these.
There has been a real effort from many manufacturers to lower costs and boost the second-hand market, as Joanne Robinson pointed out.
She added: “The Government ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars ahead of 2030 is motivating more drivers to consider EVs now.
“And some are seeking a more environmentally friendly option that won’t break the bank – and second-hand EVs seem like an obvious go-to.”
The most recent data from Zapmap shows there are 43,626 electric vehicle chargers across the UK, across more than 25,000 locations.
This represents a 38 percent increase in the total number of charging devices since May last year.
Drivers in the past have been hesitant to switch given the spread of the electric car charging network, with motorists in the South of England having far greater access.
The Government and the private sector have been working to ensure all motorists have the confidence to switch and remove the “range anxiety” which may still exist.
