UK drivers back scrappage schemes, but not EV-only offers

New research from CarTakeBack says most UK car owners would support a scrappage scheme in principle, but that support drops sharply if the grant can only be used to buy an electric vehicle. The findings highlight a gap between government EV goals and public willingness to switch, especially among owners of older petrol and diesel cars.

Why it matters: - The findings suggest a scrappage scheme could help new-car sales only if the offer is broad enough to attract drivers who are not ready to move straight into an electric vehicle. - The survey points to a bigger challenge for the UK’s 2030 transport targets: public acceptance may lag behind policy deadlines. - CarTakeBack said the results matter because the scheme’s core audience is owners of older petrol and diesel cars.

What happened: - CarTakeBack surveyed its customers in the UK about scrappage schemes and electric cars. - More than eight in ten car dealers believe the UK needs a scrappage scheme to support new electric car sales. - 73% of survey respondents said a scrappage scheme is generally a good idea. - 80% of respondents said they would be interested in a scrappage scheme. - Only 22% said they would be interested if the grant had to be used toward an EV.

The details: - 68% of those surveyed did not think there were too many high-polluting cars on UK roads. - The UK government has committed to ending sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. - The government has also set a target for 80% of new cars sold to be zero-emission in 2030. - 56% of respondents said the government should do more to encourage electric car purchases. - Most of those respondents said EVs need to be made more affordable. - 64% of respondents said they would only be interested in a scrappage scheme that gave £5,000 or more toward a new EV. - The 2009/10 government scrappage scheme offered up to £2,000 toward a new vehicle. - Only 9% of respondents said they would be interested in an incentive at that £2,000 level. - Even with inflation adjusted to £3,000, interest rose only to 13%. - CarTakeBack said people want a scrappage scheme that can also be used for hybrids. - Respondents also backed more support for manufacturers to build cheaper EVs. - Respondents called for more investment in charging infrastructure and better home-charging solutions.

Between the lines: - The survey shows broad support for scrappage in theory, but limited appetite for using public money to force an immediate switch to battery-electric vehicles. - That leaves policymakers with a choice between a narrow EV-focused incentive and a wider scheme that could win more public support. - The results also hint that charging access and upfront price remain the main barriers, not just environmental messaging.

What's next: - CarTakeBack expects any effective scheme to combine financial support with broader vehicle choices and infrastructure improvements. - The company said it is ready to handle end-of-life vehicles of all types as the UK moves toward net zero. - Ken Byng said CarTakeBack has handled more than 240,000 vehicles in the UK’s last national scrappage scheme. - CarTakeBack said it is the UK’s largest car recycling network.

The bottom line: - UK drivers appear open to scrappage incentives, but not to an EV-only version unless the financial support is much stronger.