28 February 2022
One in ten (10%1) drivers are planning to buy an electric car as their next vehicle within five years, according to a new AA study.
The poll of more than 15,500 drivers found that a fifth (22%) plan to buy a petrol vehicle next while 19% would buy a mild hybrid.
Last year, EVs made up 11.6% of new car registrations compared to 6.6% in 20202 and with new EV sales outselling diesels last month3 just one in four current diesel owners will get another, suggesting that the nail is in the coffin for diesel cars.
Question: If you are planning to change your car in the next five years, which fuel does your current car use and what do you expect your next car to use?
| Fuel Type | Current Car | Next Car |
| Petrol | 58% | 22% |
| Diesel | 36% | 9% |
| Hybrid | 3% | 19% |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 1% | 9% |
| Pure Electric | 1% | 10% |
| Other | 1% | 1% |
| I won’t be changing my car within five years | N/A | 12% |
Even with the Government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles being introduced in 2030, 18% of drivers are unsure about their next vehicle choice. Given the right incentives and consumer confidence, there is considerable scope for EV’s to become the most popular drivetrain when people change their current car.
To help breathe confidence into drivers considering making their first step into EV ownership, the AA is launching a new EV advertising campaign using its much loved dog, Tukker4, to highlight how the UK’s number one breakdown provider for electric vehicles gives power to EV drivers, empowering them across the whole of their driving life. From learning to drive to buying and leasing, to insurance, accident assistance and ongoing service, maintenance and repair, the AA is the only UK breakdown company to offer this extensive support.
As the UK’s number one for EVs, with more EV trained Patrols than anyone else, we’re giving power to electric drivers so potential owners or a long standing EV drivers, can trust us to support them throughout their electric dream
The new advert evolves Tukker’s ‘Love that feeling’ work, with a new empowering and energising leadership message of ‘with the AA, there’s NO STOPPING YOU’ that speaks to the forward momentum of AA Members on the road.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “One in ten drivers saying they will actively choose an electric vehicle for their next car is a great step towards cleaning up the UK’s road based transport system.
“The electric revolution is in good health, but with a large group of drivers unsure which drivetrain to choose next, we know that some drivers need help and reassurance that, should they switch, the AA will be able to help them throughout their ownership.
“As the UK’s number one for EVs, with more EV trained Patrols than anyone else, we’re giving power to electric drivers so potential owners or a long standing EV drivers, can trust us to support them throughout their electric dream.”
1 AA Yonder Driver Poll, February 2022. 15,677 respondents.
2 https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/evs-and-afvs-registrations
4 New Tukker ad can be watched here