The AA’s report suggests that the younger generation are more receptive to the concept of change from our dependence on the internal combustion engine towards vehicles powered by electric power.
Their poll suggests the level of acceptability’s declines as the respondents travel through the generations with those over 55 being the least impressed by the consideration.
In truth this should not be of surprise to anyone.
We have for many years cultured our opinions on “custom and practice” and our car buying and usage is no different, younger, less experienced drivers and buyers will always be the first to adopt change, especially those that are cultural in nature.
Just look at the recent growth in the use of Personal Contract Hire and Purchase as the preferred routes to car ownership as an example, speak to a collective of drivers and you will very quickly find that the question of price is dealt with very differently, often dependant on the age of the driver, the younger driver will most likely use the monthly rental as their measure, the older, the cash value, the same will be the case when discussing the method of propulsion, I have no doubt.
The same will be the case regarding worrying about the perceived barriers to ownership of the Electric Vehicle, we now live in a world of progressive and dramatic technology.
I genuinely believe that growing up in such an environment will provide an individual with an “assumptive arrogance” that the solution to many of these issues that are known to cause concern to the more mature generation of Scotland’s drivers, will simply be found.
The announcement is very encouraging and Scotland’s automotive retailers are very mindful for the future and the opportunities it brings, that said we have some very significant issues that should not be allowed to “slip down the page” namely around the costs of entry and ownership (recent changes to the Vehicle Excise Duty terms on vehicles costing over £40,000 is one example).
The availability of charging points is still woefully poor across the nation, and the issue of range, the average travel to work mileage in Scotland is significantly higher than the rest of the UK and that is before we look at our rural economy.
In summary, whilst I welcome any positives about the future, let’s not lose sight of the practicality of the transport needs of the nation for the foreseeable future.
These include access to affordable, economical, practical and very importantly, cleaner transport is already here, today’s petrol and diesel vehicles will drive this country for many years to come as we migrate towards those “fossil free” options.
Sandy Burgess is Chief Executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA)
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