Volkswagen boss warns the sale of electric vehicles is ‘stagnating’ as poll reveals just 2% of drivers would buy one in the near future

Volkswagen’s CEO has warned that electric vehicle sales are “stagnant” as a survey revealed only 2 percent of drivers would buy one in the near future.

Alex Smith warned that there are currently few incentives to buy electric vehicles.

He stated that sales are “stagnant” and that electric vehicles remain “relatively expensive” compared to gasoline and diesel cars, adding: “It is true that at the retail price of an electric car, you will find a cousin”.

It came as a survey of 2,375 UK motorists found only 2 per cent would buy an electric vehicle right now.

The survey, carried out for industry body the Society for Motor Manufactures and Traders, found that more than half do not plan to buy one until 2026 or later.

The figures led to growing calls for more support for private buyers to switch to electric vehicles ahead of a planned ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

The UK is the only major European economy without incentives for private buyers. Currently, electric vehicles are exempt from road tax, but their owners will begin paying it in 2025.

The Mail revealed this month how the popularity of electric vehicles is declining.

Only 24 percent of sales in the first half of 2023 were to private buyers, down from 36 percent last year.

Electric vehicles typically cost up to £10,000 more than their petrol or diesel equivalents, ensuring one is up 60 per cent this year and some on-street chargers are now 20 per cent more expensive than filling a car with petrol or diesel.

Yesterday, former Prime Minister Liz Truss became the latest high-profile politician to call for the 2030 ban to be scrapped.

He said: “We should, as many other Western countries are already doing, delay the implementation of net zero commitments, such as a ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030.”

Yesterday, former Prime Minister Liz Truss became the latest high-profile politician to call for the 2030 ban to be scrapped.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is carrying out an audit of his net zero emissions policies to see which could be softened or abandoned before the next election.

However, it is understood he will press ahead with the 2030 ban despite concerns about the rising costs of implementing it.

A poll for the Mail, carried out by Survation in July, found that only 28 per cent of the public think the 2030 ban is a good idea.