Call For Highway Code To Include Essential Information On EVs

The AA Driving School is calling for more information on EVs to be included in the Highway Code ahead of the government’s 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

A survey by the AA asked drivers to rate their confidence in driving and maintaining an EV without assistance.

Nearly two fifths said they would not feel confident knowing which chargepoint would be compatible with the EV (39%) and a third were not confident they could charge it correctly at a public chargepoint (30%).

The AA Driving School say that helping drivers understand EVs will take a combined effort from driving instructors, manufacturers, and motoring organisations.

Women surveyed were less confident than men

Nearly half of women surveyed said they would not be confident identifying the right chargepoint for the EV they were given (47%), compared to 21% of men.

One quarter of drivers in London said they were not confident they would know how to charge an EV correctly at home, without extra help (25%).

Drivers were asked how confident they would feel doing the following charging activities in an electric vehicle without assistance:

• Knowing which chargepoints are compatible with the EV – 39% not confident
• Charge it correctly at a public chargepoint – 30% not confident
• Charge it correctly at home – 22% not confident

The survey also asked about drivers’ confidence to understand terminology like the range and EV roads signs and markings, such as those found in charging or parking bays.

More than one in four said they would not be confident understanding the range of an EV (27%) and 24% said they would not feel confident understanding EV road signs or markings.

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