Electric vehicle charging points will be a key consideration for house buyers looking at moving into a new area within the next 20 years, according to new research carried out by Go Ultra Low.
The EV campaigning body found that charge points are the second most desired feature for future neighbourhoods, with almost half of those questioned making it a priority.
With 49% of responses prioritising EV charging, having a charging point on every house came second only to ‘Positivity’ smart lamp posts, that change colour to help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
EV charge points were considered more important than features such as fingerprint-accessible door locks, water recycling and harvesting capabilities, and electric car sharing schemes.
The ten most sought after features for house hunters in the next 20 years are:
• ‘Positivity’ smart lamp posts (52%)
• Electric car charge points on every house (49%)
• Locks on front doors which can be opened by fingerprint (37%)
• Water recycling capabilities (37%)
• Rainwater harvesting technology (34%)
• Outdoor solar powered charging stations (28%)
• Electric car sharing schemes (24%)
• Trees emitting Wi-Fi (22%)
• Fox proof bins (20%)
• Robotic gardeners (11%)
The results also show that most people think electric cars will become an essential part of housing developments across the country. Nearly three quarters (72%) said they expect electric vehicles to be the most common type of vehicle on residents’ driveways. According to just over a quarter (26%) of people, hydrogen cars will also be a more familiar fixture in the future.
Those surveyed predict that technology will make them more willing to share a car with their neighbours over the next 20 years. Almost half (48%) of people expect to be sharing electric cars with other people who live on their streets, with more than 10% agreeing that this could lead to stronger relationships between neighbours.
Maxwell Hutchison, architect and former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “Green technology that enhances our lives will fuel neighbourhoods of the future. Whilst ‘positivity’ lamp posts and robotic gardeners may be a way off, developments such as electric car charge points, electric car schemes and rainwater harvesting technology are starting to be implemented by new cutting-edge housing developments.
“The UK already has its first eco town being developed in Oxfordshire, and there are others on the horizon, with features that include shared electric car sharing schemes and electric car charge points for every house.”
Poppy Welch, Head of the Go Ultra Low campaign, said: “Electric cars are on track to become an essential part of everyday life, and our research backs this up with strong demand for charge points and EV sharing schemes.
“Electric cars are high performing, fun, exciting and financially compelling. There are currently over 75,000 on UK roads, a growth of 37% in a year, based on sales from January to September. Their role both now and in the future is unquestionable, as indicated by the £80m invested by government in further improving the nation’s electric vehicle infrastructure.”
There is already funding in place to help electric vehicle owners have a charge point installed at their home. Visit the Charging at Home page to find out more, with information on the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, and OLEV-approved installers that can carry out the work.
