31 per cent of respondents said that
improvements to recharging stations for electric
vehicles (EVs) would have a significant impact
on their business. In light of the Government's
recent announcement that the sale of new
petrol and diesel cars and vans must end by the
end of 2030, and all new cars and vans must be
fully zero emission from 2035, this was met with
surprise at RSM.
'It feels like we are at a tipping point with EVs,'
comments Hynd, 'there is a lot of pent-up
demand for these cars, but despite fast growth
in the segment I have a sense that consumers
are holding back. This may be driven by the cost
of EVs still being expensive, the limited charging
points or, and most likely, range anxiety.
The consumer needs encouragement to
change their behaviour and for that to happen
expanding the charging network needs to
be prioritised and perhaps further financial
incentives are needed.'
Although investment into developing the
UK's infrastructure will help the country move
closer to the net zero goal, it will only be able to
get us part of the way there. The most crucial
role infrastructure can play will be enabling
behavioural change.
INFRASTRUCTURE | DELIVERING NET ZERO
Benefit infrastructure improvements
would have on business activities
Little
recharging stations for electric vehicles
10% 18% 41% 31%
Minor benefit Moderate benefit
28