Eight out of 10 petrol and diesel drivers refuse to go electric despite upcoming Labour ban on sales

According to data, 57 per cent of drivers would not turn to electric any time soon, while eight per cent admitted they would only do so before the 2035 deadline.

In 2035, under the previous Conservative Government the UK had set out ambitious plans to remove the new sale of petrol and diesel cars.

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But now as Labour takes over, this could be bumped up five year to 2030, meaning the need for more drivers to purchase an electric vehicle has become more urgent.

However, despite the numerous incentives and push toward electric, drivers have been reluctant to give up their petrol or diesel car.

Data found that 78 per cent of drivers were not looking forward to the switch to an electric vehicle with only nine per cent saying they intend to make the switch within the next two years.

Meanwhile a fifth (19 per cent) of drivers explained that the switch will have to wait between two to 10 years.

By 2030, if the Government does not bring forward the mandate then 80 per cent of new cars sold in Great Britain will need to bezero emission.

In order to meet these goals, at least 22 per cent of new car sales will need to be electric by this year.

But over a third (36 per cent) of respondents said the electric cars currently on offer were too expensive with one in five (21 per cent) saying the charging infrastructure wasn’t good enough.

Other reasons included concerns over mileage (11 per cent), the cost of installing a home charging device (four per cent) and high insurance costs (two per cent).

Greg Wilson, CEO and electric car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “These findings highlight a significant reluctance amongst UK motorists to transition to electric vehicles, despite the fast-approaching deadlines.

“The hesitation is understandable, based on the cost of electric vehicles and the current charging infrastructure.

“The average new electric car in the UK is estimated to cost around £50,000, that’s over £10,000 more than the average medium-sized petrol car such as a Ford Focus.

“There are also additional costs to take into account including higher insurance premiums and now vehicle tax.”

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He added that while the future of motoring is electric, the UK has “some way to go before we achieve the ambitious targets that have been set”.