Flats residents find electric vehicle switch difficult.

Almost half of flat residents believe that transitioning to an electric vehicle (EV) is too challenging due to their living situation, a recent study reveals.

New data from ChargeGuru shows that 40% of the five million people living in flats in the UK find the switch to EVs more complex due to the lack of suitable infrastructure in their residential buildings.

Regionally, the challenges are more pronounced in cities like Brighton (59%), Leeds (50%), Liverpool (53%), and Norwich (60%), where over half of flat residents face significant obstacles when it comes to adopting EVs.

One of the main issues faced by flat dwellers is the lack of personal parking spaces equipped with EV chargers, leading 70% of respondents to rely entirely on public charging facilities.

Furthermore, the survey conducted by ChargeGuru also revealed that 53% of drivers living in flats are unaware of private charging solutions available to them, further hindering the transition to electric vehicles.

Despite the current low adoption rate of EVs among flat residents, with only one in 10 currently owning one, the landscape is expected to change drastically in the near future. More than half (53%) of flat residents express their intention to switch to an EV in the coming years, with 27% planning to do so within the next one to two years. This trend is particularly prevalent among the younger demographic, with 34% of 25- to 34-year-olds aspiring to embrace electric mobility.

Denis Watling, the managing director of ChargeGuru UK, emphasised the urgency for property managers to collaborate with residents and the industry to establish adequate residential EV charging infrastructure.

Watling stated, “The encouraging news is that government support is readily available for property managers to install or facilitate the installation of EV charge points at subsidised rates. At ChargeGuru, our mission is to engage property managers to play a pivotal role in facilitating the EV transition and supporting the UK’s journey to net zero emissions.”

He further added, “With our zero-cost solution for freeholders and property managers, we are dedicated to removing these barriers and empowering the UK towards a more sustainable and accessible future for electric mobility.”