WATCH: Drivers urged to switch to electric cars with new DfT campaign
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The boss of one of the most popular car brands in the world has told GB News that the Government should address the high cost of charging to help drivers make the switch to electric vehicles.
Almost 100,000 new electric cars were sold in September, in what was the best month for UK sales of zero emission vehicles ever.
A greater number of drivers will be investing in electric cars over the coming years, although some motorists have admitted that they are hesitant to switch for a variety of reasons.
One of the most common factors holding drivers back is charging, whether that’s high prices to charge in public, or a lack of home charging access.
Experts have continually called on the Government to equalise the rate of VAT attributed to public chargers and home chargers.
A 20 per cent VAT rate is currently levied on public chargers, while charging at home typically attracts a five per cent VAT rate.
In July, the Government announced that a temporary zero rate of VAT would be applied to qualifying supplies of electricity in Great Britain between October 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Research from Zapmap suggested that a UK driver reliant solely on the public charger would pay £194 in VAT, compared to just £48 for a driver with a home charger.
Chancellor John Healey will deliver his first Budget on Wednesday, October 28, with an expected focus on giving families and businesses a helping hand.
Speaking to GB News, Adam Wood, managing director of Renault UK, suggested that action needed to be taken to ensure drivers have confidence in switching to electric.
He said: “There’s no doubt that the Government’s got a delicate balancing act to do and difficult choices to make.
“What’s clear is, if we’re to succeed in convincing more and more people to go electric, then those without access to home charging are dependent on the public network; they need a solution for lower-cost charging.”
Mr Wood referenced Renault data, which showed that a majority of Renault 5 owners said the cost of public charging was the “biggest frustration and barrier”.
He added: “In those difficult choices, a clear differential between home and public charging is now 20 per cent. That’s something that the Government should consider when looking at cost.”
The French manufacturer has seen impressive growth in its electric vehicle sales this year, with more than 10,000 Renault 5 E-Tech models sold since January.
The R5 was the UK’s best-selling car in April and July this year, while New AutoMotive data shows that 32 per cent of Renault Group’s sales have been electric in 2026.
An estimated 40 per cent of homeowners do not have access to a driveway or off-street parking, limiting their charging options to more expensive public chargers.
There are almost 125,000 public chargers across the UK, with around 1,000 new chargers installed every month, Zapmap data shows.
A Government spokesperson has previously told GB News that major decisions will be set out by Chancellor John Healey at fiscal events.
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