A new Peugeot study reveals that more than 40% of UK drivers consider their understanding of electric cars poor or very poor.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the French automaker, highlights significant generational and regional knowledge gaps around plug-in technology, charging speeds, and government business incentives.
Poor EV understanding and persistent myths remain major barriers to electric vehicle adoption as the UK approaches its petrol and diesel phase-out deadline.
Knowledge Gaps Across Demographics
The research found 43% of all drivers rated their understanding of battery electric and hybrid vehicles as poor or very poor. Only 23% felt confident about their grasp of electrified vehicle technology.
These figures contrast sharply with a similar 2023 survey about conventional vehicles – 61% of drivers rated their understanding of petrol and diesel cars as good or very good.
The study exposed specific knowledge deficits that could impact purchasing decisions. 21% of respondents couldn’t distinguish between full battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Only 29% correctly understood that EVs can charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes using rapid charging infrastructure.
Age Divides Drive Understanding
Drivers aged 25-34 demonstrated the strongest EV knowledge, with 49% rating their understanding as good or very good.
This demographic also showed superior technical awareness – 49% of 25-34-year-olds correctly identified fast charging capabilities, compared to 38% of 18-24-year-olds and just 21% of over-65s.
The generational gap becomes stark at the older end. Only 13% of over-65 drivers believed they had strong EV understanding.
"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," said Nicola Dobson, Peugeot UK managing director.
Regional Knowledge Patterns
Geographic splits in EV awareness mirror broader adoption trends and charging infrastructure development.
Half of London drivers expressed confidence in their electric vehicle knowledge – likely reflecting the capital’s ULEZ emissions restrictions and extensive charging network.
The East of England showed the weakest regional performance. Just 12% of drivers in that area rated their EV knowledge as good or excellent.
These regional variations highlight how local policies and infrastructure availability influence consumer understanding of electric mobility options.
The findings suggest targeted education campaigns could accelerate EV adoption by addressing specific knowledge gaps across different age groups and regions.
