The AA says the UK’s shift to electric motoring has “hit a crossroads”, with its president, Edmund King, warning that confusing policy signals are unsettling drivers who are already hesitant about switching.
Speaking at the Transport & Energy Forum at Warwick University on 20 November, King said drivers remain broadly positive about EVs, but the combination of changing incentives and speculation over future taxation is creating uncertainty at the wrong moment.
According to King, Transport for London’s decision to remove the Congestion Charge exemption for electric cars and vans - alongside talk of a possible national “pay as you drive” scheme for EVs - is sending out “the wrong messages at the wrong time” for drivers still weighing up the leap.
King added that there is “a certain irony” in the government offering electric-car incentives of up to £3,750 while also considering per-mile taxation in the years ahead. He argued that most drivers accept EVs still cause congestion and should pay their way, but he questioned the timing, saying future taxation does not need to be outlined now.
The AA said these changes risk overshadowing the progress being made: more chargers in the ground, clearer permissions for cross-pavement charging, and a growing number of more affordable EVs with usable range. At the same time, King pointed to the removal of some financial incentives, the potential for new charges, and what he called “considerable misinformation”.
Readiness Index highlights ongoing concerns
The AA’s own EV Readiness Index currently stands at 47.5 out of 100, a score the organisation says reflects a market that is viable for many drivers but still carrying significant barriers for mass adoption.
King noted that upfront costs and access to reliable charging remain the biggest practical hurdles, while battery health and resale values continue to be psychological sticking points for some buyers.
The emotional side of switching
The organisation also highlighted what it described as “emotional” or psychological barriers. According to the AA’s polling, many drivers remain attached to the familiarity of a full tank of petrol at home, or the idea of driving to a long-distance destination without stopping.
King said these concerns are often rooted in habit rather than infrastructure, adding that the best antidote is “to test and try” - speaking to existing EV owners and trying an EV for themselves.
He suggested that some drivers simply need more awareness, knowledge and confidence before moving away from internal combustion, referencing change-management theories such as ADKAR to illustrate how behavioural shifts tend to play out.
King concluded that while nudging will help some drivers make the switch when their next purchase comes around, others will need “more awareness, knowledge, desire and financial ability before crossing that line”.
