Rapid EV purchase consideration growth, but motorists remain apprehensive – Bridgestone

Bridgestone Turanza 6 (Photo: Bridgestone)

Nearly half of UK motorists will make the switch to an electric vehicle in the next five years despite heightened concerns about charging point infrastructure and range anxiety, a survey commissioned by tyre manufacturer Bridgestone suggests. The survey of 2,000 UK car owners was conducted online by Research Without Barriers (RWB) between 23 February 2023 and 28 February 2023. 40 per cent said they would buy an EV by 2028, up 11 per cent from a similar result in a 2022 survey conducted by YouGov for Bridgestone (29 per cent),. 67 per cent raised fears about the availability of charging stations, a rise of 1 per cent versus 2022, while half of all respondents continue to have range anxiety, an increase of 21 per cent over the 2022 survey.

Bridgestone says its research shows that motorists appreciate the benefits of making the switch to electric powertrains – 50 per cent cite potential savings from avoiding the fuel pumps as a motivation for making the change, while 45 per cent want to do so for environmental benefits. Some motorists remain unconvinced that EVs are the future: 25 per cent declare that they never intend to buy one.

The results come on the back of research by The Automobile Association. Its breakdown statistics suggest motorists should be more sanguine about range, since just 2.1 per cent of EV breakdowns were the result of cars running out of charge in 2022.

The rising cost of living has also been reflected in Bridgestone’s latest research, which also revealed that 56 per cent of motorists would entertain the idea of car sharing in the future to reduce outgoings and save money. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 33,538 new plug-in cars were registered in May 2023 (47 per cent more than 2022), with 170,000 registered so far in 2023.

Bridgestone’s latest survey of UK motorists’ attitudes towards electric vehicles (Photo: Bridgestone)

Tyre manufacturers are helping support EV rise

Tyre manufacturers are aiming to help tackle motorists’ issues with EVs with technologies to help increase range, comfort and the longevity of the tyres themselves. Bridgestone’s new Turanza 6 is the company’s first it is calling ‘EV Ready’. This strategy aims to supply tyres that are suitable for both hybrid and electric vehicles and conventional internal combustion engine cars, helping to optimise performance characteristics relevant to EV drivers. This includes low rolling resistance to save battery life and address range anxiety concerns, excellent control to address EV-specific driving-related issues, higher wear tolerance to combat tyre wear due to the increased weight and higher torque, and decreased noise for driver comfort owing to the near non-existent engine noise of EVs.

It has been created with Bridgestone’s Enliten technologies, which ensures that less raw materials are used and contributes to reduced rolling resistance, meaning electric vehicles can do more miles per range and be recharged less. ENLITEN technology enables a lower environmental impact through CO2 emissions reduction, resource efficiency and material circularity (use of recycled/renewable material) without any compromise on performance or safety.

Bridgestone North Region vice president Andrea Manenti said that the survey results provided valuable insight into the future of mobility, but stressed that more work was needed to reassure all motorists of the benefits of EVs.

He said: “It’s clear that we are undergoing huge change in the automotive industry and our latest results suggest that EV sales are only going to grow, year-on-year.

“These concerns were insightful and we are addressing many of them with premium tyres that meet specific EV requirements and help deliver optimal performance, as seen in our new Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyre.”

Bridgestone is researching attitudes to EVs as part of its mission to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company, it says. It also embodies Bridgestone’s E8 Commitment, a set of eight areas (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, Empowerment) which provide a compass to guide their strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business and operations.

The survey aligns with three of Bridgestone’s eight Es: ‘Energy’ – committed to the realization of a carbon neutral mobility society’; ‘Ecology’ – committed to advancing sustainable tyre technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations;” and ‘Efficiency’ – committed to maximising productivity through the advancement of mobility.”