Drivers have firmly rejected plans to give up petrol or diesel cars, despite the Government's push towards electric vehicles, according to shocking new research.
The report found just 11 per cent of drivers would choose a fully electric car for their next vehicle, with the majority planning on sticking with petrol or diesel.
Interest in electric cars was found to be higher among people buying brand-new vehicles, with around 19 per cent of new-car buyers considering going fully electric, although this drops to just five per cent for used cars.
Instead, many drivers were recorded as still choosing options that still rely on petrol, with 27 per cent saying they would pick a hybrid car, while 11 per cent would go for a plug-in hybrid.
The biggest concern for sticking to petrol and diesel cars was cost worries, with almost half of drivers (45 per cent) warning that electric cars remain too expensive.
Others expressed fears about how far they can travel on a single charge, how long charging takes, and the cost of replacing batteries.
Charging was another major issue for most drivers who expect to buy an electric car and be able to charge it at home, but this remained unfeasible for more than half who do not have a home charger.
Public charging points were also a concern, with 37 per cent of respondents saying there are not enough of them in the UK to become a reliable option.
Only five per cent of drivers said they would buy a used electric car
| GETTY/PAJamie Hamilton, automotive partner and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte UK, said progress is being made but warned that many drivers still face real problems.
"There are clear benefits to switching to an electric vehicle, and it's encouraging to see the number of consumers considering an electrified vehicle rising from last year.
"There is still some way to go to the 2035 zero emission vehicle target, and there remain significant barriers for many consumers to make the switch to electric."
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Under the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, carmakers will be required to sell an increasing share of electric vehicles each year or face fines.
By the end of 2025, brands need to have 33 per cent of new car sales be electric, before reaching the final target of 100 per cent in 2035.
"The EV market also needs an established and fully functioning second-hand market," Mr Hamilton said. "With only five per cent of those buying a used car considering electric, there is still some work to be done."
He also pointed to the lack of charging infrastructure for people without driveways, noting that residential charging infrastructure "continues to lag".
The lack of accessible charging solutions has caused more drivers to stick with petrol and diesel cars | KERBO CHARGETo address this, the Government has been slashing red tape to make it easier for drivers to install on-street chargers.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said at the time: "Wherever you park your car, we're making it fairer, easier, and cheaper to make the switch to electric.
"These reforms will improve infrastructure for the EV revolution, increase chargepoints across the country and open up affordable home charging to thousands more households."