MIDDLE-AGED and older drivers are the least convinced about the benefits of buying an electric car, according to new research.

A study carried out by the AA has revealed it is younger drivers who are leading the way in embracing the green technology.

Motorists aged 18-24 are the most likely to own an electric vehicle (EV), followed by those in the 25-34 age bracket, with those aged 55 and over the least likely.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “This may confound the ‘boy racer’ image that older people may have of young drivers.

“Although overall numbers are still low, it shows that young drivers are taking an interest in new car technology – despite the fact that three-quarters (76%) are concerned about the high purchase price of EVs. But even that compares with 84% of older drivers concerned about price.”

The AA study, which surveyed around 16,500 drivers, showed that for those who don’t own an electric vehicle, barriers to ownership remain a perceived lack of charging stations; the cost of buying an electric car; and battery life.

“In reality, these concerns are evaporating much more quickly than perhaps most people realise,” Mr King added.

“It seems that young drivers certainly ‘get’ the concept of electric driving and our research consistently showed that it is older drivers who are putting up concerns that simply don’t exist. In fact a third of respondents overall say they have no understanding of EVs.

“The fact is the average journey length in the UK is just 8.9 miles and for most families, an EV is the ideal economical and practical solution for a second car at least.

“New vehicles are coming on stream with much higher practical range and there are hundreds of new public charging points being installed every month.

“EV ownership has been growing rapidly but is still a long way from widespread public acceptance.”

The Scottish Government has been keen to push electric car ownership, and last year set aside £7.8million to provide interest free loans to motorists who wanted to purchase one.

Other perks include heavily reduced tax rates, with free parking in some areas.

The proliferation of alternative-fuelled vehicles (AFVs), including all-electric and hybrid cars, is likely to continue as last month the UK Government announced their intention to ban the purchase of diesel and petrol cars from 2040.

Such models are becoming more popular with Scottish motorists as latest official figures show there were 437 new AFVs registered in Scotland last month, compared to just 193 in the same month of 2016, and 3,684 new registrations for 2017 so far.

With the public beginning to embrace EVs, experts have warned that more advancements must be to make the technology more robust for daily life.

In a recent column in The Herald, Sandy Burgess, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, said: “The electric vehicle is going to play a huge part in the future, but a lot of work needs to be done over the next 23 years.

“Battery technology, which has not developed much over the past 20 years, has to improve dramatically for all-electric models to take over the roads completely.

“So much has to change and the costs will be astronomical.”

Meanwhile, Scotland’s first low emission zone (LEZ) is set to be introduced without any enforcement measures.

Drivers are supposed to be fined or pay tolls if their vehicles fail to meet pollution standards.

However, according to Cascade News, Transport Scotland will go ahead with the first LEZ next year without sanctions for offending vehicle owners.

Those in the bus industry slammed the timescale and said the plans were a “knee-jerk” reaction.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "The first LEZ in Scotland will be put in place by 2018, with the consultation proposing that a lead-in time would start once the LEZ design is published, and would continue for a period of time after the LEZ becomes operational.

"This approach would provide vehicle owners with time to adapt or upgrade their vehicle, prior to the start of LEZ enforcement."