TWO FIFTHS OF UK MOTORISTS RATE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS POOR

According to the latest research by PEUGEOT UK, two-fifths of UK motorists rate their understanding of electric and hybrid vehicles as poor, just five years from the end of new petrol and diesel car sales. The data highlights stark gaps by age and region: 49% of 25 to 34-year-olds claim good or excellent EV knowledge, compared to just 13% of over 65s, while geographically, confidence is highest in London (49%) and lowest in the East of England (12%).

In a recent survey of 2,000 UK motorists*, 43% of participants rated their understanding of electric vehicles as either poor or very poor, with just 23% believing their understanding of electric vehicles was good or very good. This is despite there being over 1.5 million** electric car users in the UK.

Compared to research carried out by PEUGEOT UK in 2023 on electric vehicle knowledge, the percentage of motorists who said they had the best understanding of petrol or diesel cars decreased by 6% to 61%***. However, this is still the most well-understood type of vehicle, even though sales of pure internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are set to end in 2030.

PEUGEOT UK’s latest research reveals significant gaps in the public’s understanding of electric vehicles, with 21% of motorists not sure whether plug-in hybrid and electric cars are different.

Just 29% of respondents knew that an electric car would charge from 20-80% in less than 30 minutes using a 100kW or greater DC rapid charger, with 78% found the ways that different electric vehicle charging providers operate confusing. The PEUGEOT E-3008 Long Range charges from 20-80% in just 27 minutes using a 160kW DC charger, with a combined range of 435 miles (WLTP).

Nicola Dobson, PEUGEOT UK Managing Director, said: “The latest survey in electric vehicle knowledge shows that progress is being made with electrification in the UK, but there is still more that needs to be done to provide the public with clear information to help them make the switch. At PEUGEOT, we are committed to supporting motorists through the EV transition with our PEUGEOT ELECTRIC PROMISE, which includes initiatives such as the 8-year PEUGEOT CARE to give customers the confidence to embrace electric mobility, as well as offering the widest EV line-up of any mainstream European brand.”

Generational differences

Research also found that there were considerable differences in knowledge of electric vehicles between younger and older generations. Nearly half (49%) of 25 to 34-year-olds believe they have a good or excellent understanding of electric vehicles, compared to just 13% of over 65s.

When asked about charging times, just 38% of 18 to 24-year-olds correctly said that electric vehicles such as the PEUGEOT E-3008 could charge to 80% in under 30 minutes, increasing to nearly half of 25 to 34-year-olds (49%). Only 21% of over 65s were aware that electric vehicles could charge to 80% in under 30 minutes.

When it comes to grants available for electric vehicle purchases, nearly half of 18 to 24-year-olds were aware that electric vans are eligible for the UK government Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG), compared to just 23% of over 65s. PEUGEOT offers a fully electric van range, consisting of E-PARTNER (eligible for a grant of up to £2,500), E-EXPERT and E-BOXER (both eligible for grants of up to £5,000), providing an electric alternative for every professional’s needs.

Regional differences

Electric vehicle knowledge also differed depending on region, with 49% of Londoners rating their electric vehicle knowledge as good or excellent. The East of England was the least knowledgeable about electric vehicles, with just 12% of motorists in the region claiming that their knowledge of electric vehicles is either good or excellent.

Unsurprisingly, 83% of Londoners had either heard of or had at least some understanding of the term Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This is in comparison to just a quarter of those from the Northeast of England.

Helping customers make the switch to electric, PEUGEOT’s ELECTRIC PROMISE, a comprehensive, 360-degree approach, makes the transition to electric mobility smooth and helps PEUGEOT towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2038. A key part of the strategy is offering the widest EV line-up of any mainstream European brand, with nine cars and three vans, and giving customers peace of mind about making the switch to electric through PEUGEOT CARE coverage.

All electric PEUGEOT models benefit from the PEUGEOT ELECTRIC PROMISE, designed to reassure customers about the reliability and charging of all-electric models:

• 8-year / 100,000 miles vehicle cover thanks to the PEUGEOT CARE**, the broadest coverage of any European brand.
• 8-year / 100,000 miles battery warranty.
• Access to a Free2Move Charge Pass, in partnership with Octopus Electroverse, that offers one-tap access to over 700,000+ public charge points across the UK and Europe.

In 2024, PEUGEOT was ZEV mandate compliant and doubled its electric vehicle sales in the UK, with the brand’s electric vehicle market share outperforming its overall car and van market share.

ENDS

* Survey conducted by OnePoll from 2 May to 7 May 2025

** https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/ev-market

*** Survey conducted by OnePoll from 27 April – 2 May 2023

**** PEUGEOT CARE consists of 3 years standard manufacturer’s warranty plus up to 5 years of special coverage. Please see full terms and conditions.

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ABOUT PEUGEOT

PEUGEOT is an inventive high-end mainstream brand. The ‘Power of Allure’ is our brand promise, epitomised in all of our models and services. Allure (attractive design), Emotion (instinctive driving pleasure) and Excellence (uncompromising quality, efficiency and technology) represent our values. PEUGEOT is present in more than 130 countries worldwide and sold more than 1,050,000 vehicles in 2022. By 2025, all of our models (PC and LCV) will be electric. The PEUGEOT E-LION Project is a 360° approach to deliver our Carbon Net Zero objective by 2038. The electrified PEUGEOT 9X8 Hypercar demonstrates our passion for motorsport, competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.