Drivers say they 'won't follow new rules' as major car ban looms
The ban on new petrol and diesel cars is set to come into force in 2035, and there are concerns that drivers are not yet ready to make the switch to electric vehicles
Despite the looming ban on petrol and diesel vehicles - millions of motorists are pledging never to purchase an electric car.
Some drivers are already taking advantage of the £650million Electric Car Grant to buy a new EV. However, research suggests that the necessary conditions for most drivers to switch to an electric vehicle (EV) have not yet been met.
The AA has highlighted significant barriers such as high initial costs and lack of charging facilities as obstacles to the "mass adoption" of this technology. In response, the AA has launched an "EV readiness index" to gauge how practical and attractive EV ownership is.
AA president, Edmund King, welcomed the recently introduced electric car grant – which reduces the cost of some new EVs by up to £3,750 – but cautioned that "we need to go further to make EVs a realistic choice for all drivers".
He said: "Drivers tell us they're excited about going electric and they love the tech, but they're also confused and cautious. Our index shows that upfront costs and charging access are still major concerns. Our polling also suggests battery health and resale values are still issues for some."
"Our index is an independent barometer of the issues that are either holding drivers back or propelling drivers to go electric. We are confident that the readiness rating will increase with more chargers, less expensive products, targeted incentives and better information."
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport stated: "We recognise the nervousness of some drivers to go electric, which is why our electric car grant is slashing prices for consumers, giving drivers across the UK access to new electric cars for less – with 35 models now eligible.
"This £650 million scheme is helping families make the switch to cleaner cars while putting money back into the pockets of working people."
According to Zapmap, as of August 2025, there are more than 1.6 million fully electric cars in the country. These numbers represent almost five per cent of all cars on UK roads., with the numbers also having quadrupled since 2021. It's expected that numbers will exceed the two million mark in early 2026.