Almost three-quarters of UK motorists (72%) say they would switch to an electric vehicle if it offered 250 miles of range from a five-minute charge, according to new findings from Startline Motor Finance’s May Used Car Tracker.
The results follow the unveiling of new ultra-fast charging technology by Chinese carmaker BYD, which claims to offer near-instantaneous EV recharging. In the survey, 36% of respondents noted this would be “almost as fast as refuelling with petrol”, while 34% said it could “remove the need for a home charger”.
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Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said the research indicates that a petrol-like charging experience “clearly strikes a chord with many potential buyers”. He added that the ability to add 250 miles of range in minutes would be particularly valuable for drivers without access to home charging, simplifying the overall EV ownership experience.
However, the survey also highlights reservations among drivers. Around 15% of those polled expect ultra-fast charging to be expensive, while 12% believe the rollout of such infrastructure would be technically challenging.
Burgess acknowledged the barriers, noting that the UK’s public chargers rarely exceed 300kW – significantly below the 1,000kW capacity likely required for five-minute charging. “Delivering this step change would require a massive investment in infrastructure,” he said, adding that motorists were “probably correct” in assuming high installation and usage costs.
The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly by APD Global Research. This edition surveyed 308 consumers and 66 dealers.
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