Nearly half of motorists need help installing home chargers before switching to electric vehicles, according to a new Startline Used Car Tracker survey.
The March 2025 survey revealed 46% of drivers would require assistance with home charger installation and training on using public charging stations before transitioning to an EV. The same percentage also want guidance on maximizing battery life.
Additionally, 30% of potential buyers said they’d need lessons on using their EV’s main features.
The survey found 29% of respondents want education on efficient EV driving techniques, while 14% seek information about which features – such as heating and air conditioning – consume the most power.
Startline Motor Finance compiles the monthly Used Car Tracker with APD Global Research. This edition surveyed 302 consumers and 58 dealers across the UK.
“Switching from a petrol or diesel car to an electric one is a big change for most people, and this research indicates they are nervous about the prospect and looking for support,” said Paul Burgess, Startline Motor Finance CEO. “They want to know that they’ll be able to charge at home, help to operate public charging and just simply how to use their new electric car – and they would like the dealer selling the vehicle to provide all of this.”
Burgess noted that while some dealers offer these services as part of a comprehensive EV buying experience, “they are probably in the minority and more could or should be done by car retailers.”
The tracker also revealed encouraging price trends for EVs. The average price difference between electric vehicles and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars has dropped dramatically – from 51% to 18% since 2019.
Survey results showed consumer willingness to pay for electric technology:
- 18% would buy an EV if priced the same as a petrol or diesel car
- 18% would pay a 10% premium for an electric vehicle
- 17% would accept a 20% higher price for an EV
“On the used market, many electric models are moving towards or have hit price parity with petrol, so most of the people surveyed should not find the price a barrier to purchasing,” Burgess added. “Interestingly, only 7% of the motorists we spoke to said they would never buy an electric car, showing how resistance to the technology is now very low.”
