Find a car: Electric vehicles 'to boost UK economy'

Feb 01 2011, 05:19 PM

Electric cars will definitely be sought after by almost two per cent of motorists in the next few years.

Electric vehicles are expected to grow in popularity over the next few years, those who are hoping to find a new car have been told.

A report by GfK Automotive has found that of 5,053 people surveyed, 1.8 per cent said that they would definitely purchase an electric car by 2014.

Comparing these figures to the entire car-buying population reveals that an estimated 300,000 motorists will acquire this type of vehicle over this time.

It seems as though the UK economy could be boosted by people taking up electric vehicles by 2014 too, with the GfK report finding that the country's automotive industry will receive £7.2 billion through sales.

Mark Durham, automotive expert at GfK, commented: "With so many people on the verge of going electric, the government, manufacturers and energy suppliers need to grasp the nettle and address peoples' concerns."

Last month, Neil Wallis, head of communications at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, told those who are in the market to find a car that electric vehicles "will certainly grow".