This week's roll-out of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) has prompted 60% of UK car buyers to consider an EV, according to Nissan. 

In a survey of 2,000 people across the UK, Nissan’s research found that only one-in-three were aware of the ULEZ going live on April 8, yet almost half of all respondents support the daily charge’s introduction and almost two-thirds said that they would willing to purchase an electric vehicle to benefit the environment.

Nissan Motor (GB)’s sales director and interim managing director, Andrew Sellars, said:  “It’s clear that as the UK continues to implement its Road to Zero strategy - which will see at least half of all new cars sold being ultra-low emission models by 2030 - UK citizens are taking a more active interest in the benefits of electric vehicles, which contribute strongly to improving air quality in city centres.”

Despite the high proportion of respondents to Nissan's survey stating that they would consider the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV), only a quarter of respondents were aware of the financial incentives available to help them do so, however. 

This contrasts with the 43% that said they were more likely to make the move to electric as a result of financial incentives.

Interestingly, non-Londoners were in favour of ULEZ, Nissan claimed, with 35% saying they thought their nearest city would benefit from the introduction of a ULEZ charge.

In addition, 31% said it would change how much they drove and 27% said it would make them more likely to adopt an electric vehicle as a result.