electronic car Homeowners are seven times more likely to install solar panels on their home compared to the national average.
This means that nearly one-third of EV drivers can use solar energy to charge their vehicles, avoiding high energy prices.
Additionally, more than one in 10 EV drivers have a household battery to store excess energy.
These are some of the findings from the latest EV Charging Survey, which is conducted annually by map website.
Passionate about going green
Zap-Map research shows that electric vehicles can be a gateway to green technology, although high initial costs may still be a barrier.
Owning an EV means drivers are 20% more likely to have a smart meter Pack it at home. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of EV owners have a way to track their energy usage, compared to a national average of 50%.
When it comes to the latest cleaning energy technology, 7% of EV owners use heat pumps instead of gas boilers. In contrast, only one percent of the population owns a heat pump.
Upfront costs remain a hurdle
Other research by renewable energy provider Good Energy found that upfront costs prevent many from adopting green technologies.
When considering a heat pump, installation price was a barrier for 64% of people, while solar panel prices were a stumbling block for 54%.
Melanie Shufflebotham, Zap-Map’s chief operating officer, said: “‘Gateway to clean energy’ is a good way to think about electric vehicles. Once you change the energy used to fuel the vehicle, you start thinking about your Energy used elsewhere in your life. Then you realize you can use solar panels to lower your running costs too.
“Having said that, the upfront cost of this technology does once again highlight the disparity between affluent homeowners with off-street parking and those without a driveway, or just less affluent. That’s why we need more affordable curbside or local charging options.”
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