SCOTLAND is set for a substantial rise in the number of low- and zero-emission vehicles in the coming years with new research showing more than half of drivers are considering either hybrid or fully electric models for their next car.

According to a survey from global telematics firm Geotab, 39% of prospective buyers are aiming to buy a hybrid vehicle with 17% opting for electric.

However, the research showed that despite the appetite for electric vehicles (EVs), Scots are still concerned about the availability of charging points and vehicle range.

A total of 56% of drivers in Scotland are considering electric or hybrid vehicles, behind the UK figure of 60%, but the study said that our geography is a key factor in the difference.

Some 47% of Scottish respondents – the highest rate in the country – said that how far the vehicle will travel on a single charge would be one of their key worries about buying a fully electric vehicle.

This is compounded by just 17% of respondents agreeing that their local area has good EV charging infrastructure and 32% worrying about where they would charge an EV in public. According to data from ZapMap, Scotland has just 0.1 public charging points per square mile – the joint-lowest figure together with Wales and compares to 11.3 per square mile in Greater London.

The need for EV infrastructure here is emphasised by a further finding from the report that Scotland is the UK’s favourite place to drive; 91% of residents also identified their home country as their favourite motoring area.

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Respondents in Scotland were more concerned than those in any other part of the UK about the up-front cost of purchasing an EV, with 35% citing it as a key concern.

The issue of vehicle range was highlighted by the finding that people in Scotland have some of the longest commutes in the UK, with 28% travelling fewer than 10 miles each way compared to a UK average of 35%.”

Edward Kulperger, Geotab’s vice-president Europe, said: “The difference in consumer attitudes between different regions of the UK shows the impact that EV policy can have. The fact that London, which has both the most mature legislation to encourage adoption of electric vehicles and densest network of charge points in the country, is also where consumers are most focused on cost opens up the question of carrot and stick in encouraging EV adoption.

“This data suggests that similar levels of investment, particularly in charging point infrastructure, could make a real difference in Scotland. This data shows not only that improvements to infrastructure are vital to encourage EV adoption and that the industry needs to do more to educate consumers about how far the technology has come, but that the Scottish public are primed to buy into electrification. With climate change such a significant part of the national conversation, reducing vehicle emissions has never been more important.”