Electric car driving lessons available for just one in seven motorists

A lack of driving instructors with an EV is stopping the nation’s prospective drivers from learning to drive in an electric vehicle, according to new figures from GRIDSERVE, the sustainable energy, charging, and electric car leasing company.

GRIDSERVE found that while nearly half (48%) of those with a provisional license would be more likely to take lessons in an EV, just one in seven drivers were able to find a local instructor with an electric car.

Over the past five years, just one in 10 (9%) parents with children learning to drive saw their children pass in an EV despite 300,000 new electric cars registered in 2023and a million electric cars on UK roads.

Those who learnt to drive in London were most likely to be able to find an EV instructor (41%) followed by the West Midlands (23%) compared to Yorkshire and the Humber and the East of England where only one in 10 could find one.

The desire to learn to drive in an EV is driven by the younger generation with 40% of those aged between 18-24 more likely to pick an instructor if they offered lessons in an electric car.

Three in 10 (29%) learner drivers said it was pointless learning to drive manual when they would spend most of their driving life in an automatic EV, while nearly a quarter (24%) said they are already planning on their first car being electric when they pass.

Rebecca Trebble, Chief Customer Experience Officer at GRIDSERVE, said: “It’s great to see that prospective drivers across all ages are looking to appoint driving instructors with electric cars.

“It’s more important than ever that people embrace electric vehicles and drive towards a greener future for the planet. Appointing a driving instructor with an electric vehicle is an excellent way to contribute to a more sustainable future.

“It’s never been easier to learn electric and stay electric, with GRIDSERVE offering great charging locations across the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway, including at our Electric Forecourts®, which means you can charge while you shop or just stop for a quick top-up. With over 175 charging locations across the country and more opening throughout the year, we can’t wait for the next generation of drivers to go electric.”

Notes to Editors / Methodology

GRIDSERVE commissioned One Poll to interview 2,000 UK adults between 25 October and 1 November 2023.