Electric cars set to become new norm, research finds

Electric vehicles will be the vehicle of choice for motorists by 2026, research among teenagers and learner drivers has revealed.

The findings revealed that that more than eight in 10 (81%) 14 year olds plan to make their first car purchase – in just over a decade from now – an electric one.

Based on the research by the joint industry and government-funded Go Ultra Low campaign, futurologist Dr Ian Pearson has also forecast that electric cars will become the ‘new normal’.  

Go Ultra Low quizzed 800 teenagers aged 14-17 and the demand for greener-fuelled cars grew greater the younger that the interviewees became.

The young people polled also revealed that their generation associates electric cars with fewer CO2 emissions (56%), cleaner air (48%), and ‘the types of cars that everyone will be driving one day’ (34%).

Dr Pearson commented: "Young people are very aware of environmental issues and it is great that they also notice that electric cars will be cheaper to run, so it is a clear win-win. Battery technology continues to improve, and the amount of resources needed to make an electric car will continue to fall.

"These technology developments will all add up, greatly reducing the environmental impact of cars while making them safer and cheaper. If current trends towards electric cars continue this means that, by 2026, demand for electric cars will almost certainly outweigh demand for 'traditionally fuelled' cars."

The collaborative campaign is the first of its kind, bringing together a consortium of leading car manufacturers: Audi, BMW, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, and Volkswagen, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the UK government.