Bridgestone plugged into motorists’ EV apprehensions but also reveals rapid growth in purchase consideration
• 40% of UK motorists confirm desire to purchase an EV by 2028 - an increase 11% from 2022
• Survey reveals that motorists are still apprehensive - charging point infrastructure and range anxieties remain a big concern
• The NEW Bridgestone Turanza 6 EV ready tyre is perfectly placed to support the EV revolution
Bridgestone can reveal that nearly half of UK motorists participating in a recent survey will be making the switch to an electric vehicle in the next five years, despite heightened concerns about charging point infrastructure and range anxiety.
A survey commissioned by Bridgestone, of 2,000 drivers shows that 40%1 will buy an EV by 2028, up 11% from when asked in 20222 (29%).
However, 67% raised fears about the availability of charging stations1, (up 1% on 20222) with exactly half of all respondents1 continuing to have range anxiety, which represents an increase of 21% from last year2.
The Bridgestone research reinforces the fact that motorists appreciate the benefits of making the switch, with 50%1 intending to do so for the potential savings from avoiding the fuel pumps and 45%1 preparing to do so for environmental benefits.
But there is still some way to go to convince all motorists that EVs are future, with 25%1 declaring that they never intend to buy one. The results come on the back of The AA’s own research3, which suggests that motorists need not be as concerned about range anxiety as they are, with just 2.1% of EV breakdowns being the result of cars running out of battery, in 2022.
The rising cost of living has also been reflected in Bridgestone’s latest research, which also revealed that 56%1 of motorists would entertain the idea of car sharing in the future to reduce outgoings and save money.
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT4), 33,538 new plug-in cars were registered in May 2023 (47% more than 2022), with 170,000 being registered so far in 2023.
As a leader in mobility solutions, Bridgestone is already tackling some of the issues raised by developing its tyre technology to ensure that EVs can travel further between charges, whilst prolonging battery life.
Its all-new Turanza 6 tyre is the company’s first-ever ‘EV Ready’ tyre, making it perfectly suited to hybrid and electric vehicles, helping to optimise their performance. This includes low rolling resistance to save battery life and address range anxiety concerns, excellent control to address EV-specific driving-related issues, higher wear tolerance to combat tyre wear due to the increased weight and higher torque, and decreased noise for driver comfort owing to the near non-existent engine noise of EVs.
It has been created with Bridgestone’s ENLITEN technologies, which ensures that less raw materials are used and contributes to reduced rolling resistance, meaning electric vehicles can do more miles per range and be recharged less. ENLITEN technology enables a lower environmental impact through CO2 emissions reduction, resource efficiency and material circularity (use of recycled/renewable material) without any compromise on performance or safety.
Bridgestone North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti said that the survey results provided valuable insight into the future of mobility, but stressed that more work was needed to reassure all motorists of the benefits of EVs.
He said: “It’s clear that we are undergoing huge change in the automotive industry and our latest results suggest that EV sales are only going to grow, year-on-year.
“These concerns were insightful and we are addressing many of them with premium tyres that meet specific EV requirements and help deliver optimal performance, as seen in our new Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyre.”
Bridgestone’s EV research represents part of its mission to continue to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company toward 2050. It also embodies Bridgestone’s E8 Commitment – a set of eight areas (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, Empowerment) which provide a compass to guide their strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business and operations.
The survey aligns with: ‘Energy’: Committed to the realization of a carbon neutral mobility society’, ‘Ecology’: Committed to advancing sustainable tyre technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations” and ‘Efficiency’: Committed to maximizing productivity through the advancement of mobility”.
ENDS
1Bridgestone commissioned research carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB) between 23rd February 2023 and 28h February 2023, comprising 2,000 UK car owners
2YouGov Survey commissioned by Bridgestone in the UK, January 2022, 2000 respondents.
3The AA EV breakdown statistics from June 2023 https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom/evs-out-of-charge-breakdowns-fall
4SMMT data made public in June 2023: https://insideevs.com/news/670599/uk-plugin-car-sales-may2023/
Media information: For more information about this press release, or if you have any more questions, please call Ben Smallman at Ben Smallman PR on 07833 463195 or email ben@bensmallmanpr.com
About Bridgestone in Europe, Middle East, India and Africa
Bridgestone in Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa (Bridgestone EMIA) is the regional Strategic Business Unit of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions.
Headquartered in Zaventem (Belgium), Bridgestone EMIA employs more than 20,000 people and conducts business in 40 countries across the region. Bridgestone EMIA operates 16 tyre plants, a major R&D centre, and a proving ground, and serves its customers in an extensive retail network with thousands of touchpoints.
Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tyres, tyre technologies and advanced mobility solutions. The company’s vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, our customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business.
For more information about Bridgestone in EMIA, please visit www.bridgestone-emia.com and press.bridgestone-emia.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.