New research from Saga reveals that 63% of London motorists can recognise roadside signs for electric vehicles – the highest of any UK city.
As the electric vehicle (EV) revolution continues to gain momentum, the UK stands at the brink of a pivotal era in transport. However, although the Government has pledged £500 million towards EV charging hubs, a new survey from Saga Insurance reveals while enthusiasm for EVs is on the rise, knowledge regarding the signs, symbols and rules varies across the country.
To find out more, Saga surveyed over 1,000 UK motorists to explore Brit’s understanding of electric vehicle (EV) signs and symbols.
Although many Londoners are ready for the switch to EV, there were clear regional disparities. Only 32% of respondents in East England were able to identify EV symbols – and 27% in the South West.
Since the introduction of Clean Air Zones and schemes such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, there is a growing number of motorists purchasing electric vehicles, despite shifting climate targets. The survey found that motorists in London are the most aware of symbols that indicate a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) by 61% compared to the South West with only 29% of people.
When it came to other symbols, 37% of drivers could correctly identify the ‘eco mode’ dashboard symbol, while 18% could identify ‘electrical fault’ – indicating there are still some knowledge gaps to be filled.
It appears from the results that CAZ schemes have had a significant impact on increasing public awareness of EV rules and regulations.
Greater London has the highest percentage of UK drivers who are familiar with dashboard and roadside symbols for EVs, whilst 27% of drivers both in the South West and Northern Ireland are the least familiar. Familiarity with the ULEZ symbol also increased with age, with 81% of drivers aged 55 and over correctly interpreting its meaning.
Saga Comments:
“The survey’s results spotlight an evolving landscape of electric vehicles in the UK as well as draw attention to the need to enhance public understanding of EV signs and symbols. As the nation pushes towards its 2035 ban of new petrol and diesel cars, Saga encourages drivers to engage with this change.
As the electric vehicle revolution gains momentum, bridging this knowledge gap will be vital in ensuring a smooth transition towards a sustainable transportation future.”
