More drivers than ever are ready to go electric but lack of charging stations is proving a roadblock on making the switch.

The latest LeasePlan research found a record 65% of drivers say they now have a favourable view of zero-emission electric driving

New global research from LeasePlan finds a record 65% of drivers say they now have a favourable view of zero-emission electric driving. Nearly half (44%) of all surveyed said that their opinion towards electric driving has improved over the past three years.

And the research, carried out with Ipsos for the EVs & Sustainability edition of the Mobility Insights Report – an annual survey of over 5,000 drivers in 22 countries – found that the vast majority (61%) of respondents intending to get a new car in the next five years say they will consider an electric vehicle, indicating driver acceptance of EVs has now reached a tipping point.

Both the eco and financial benefits of EVs are popular with drivers; 46% of respondents said EVs not only contribute to fighting climate change through lower CO2 emissions, but also agree that EVs have an overall lower running cost (47%).

But obstacles remain: a total of 51% of those planning to buy a car in the next five years cited insufficient charging infrastructure (either at home, work or on public highways) as the key reason preventing them from choosing an EV, while ‘range anxiety’ was the roadblock stopping another 34% from going electric.

As such, LeasePlan has continued its calls for more work to be done on charging; it’s been saying for some time that the lack of sufficient charging infrastructure globally is a major road block to the transition to EVs and called for governments to work together to resolve this.

Tex Gunning, CEO of LeasePlan, said: “Yet again, we see that drivers are ready and willing to play their part in fighting climate change – but the lack of EV charging infrastructure is holding them back. Action is urgently needed: leaders and policymakers in every single one of the 22 countries surveyed need to step up and respond to public demand by investing in a universal, affordable and sustainable charging infrastructure.

“LeasePlan and our partners have already done the homework: last year we outlined five easy-to-implement recommendations that provide a blueprint for sorting out the embarrassing state of charging infrastructure in Europe. Simply put, the solutions already exist – all that is missing is action.”

LeasePlan has committed itself to achieving net zero emissions from its total fleet by 2030 while also transitioning employee vehicles to battery electric by 2021, or as soon as local conditions allow, under the EV100 programme. It’s also developed a number of tools to help fleets and drivers make the switch.

To access the second edition of this year’s LeasePlan Mobility Insights Report, click here.