Hundreds of drivers prepared to destroy their houses to cater for electric cars

Hundreds of homeowners are prepared to destroy their front gardens to accommodate electric cars , according to a new study. A staggering 49 percent of those polled revealed they were considering paving over their front gardens to park EV’s and install charging infrastructure. Of those who already own electric vehicles, a whopping 70 percent have already made changes to the front of their homes to accommodate them. This includes 22 percent of owners who have admitted to cutting back on green space on their property. The findings were analysed after a poll of 2,000 homeowners was conducted by electric car firm EO Charging . Drivers have threatened to destroy their gardens for electric cars (Image: Getty) Charlie Jardine, CEO at EO Charging explained: ‘With the expansion of ULEZ around London and more cities likely to follow a similar path with congestion charging, more and more people living in the suburbs will benefit from choosing to drive EVs. ‘This means the desire for home charging facilities will grow, putting more pressure on front gardens and neighbourhood green spaces.’ However, road users are clearly concerned with more than half of respondents accepting the issue needed to be addressed. A massive 53 percent of those questioned felt motorists having to slice up their gardens was concerning. Meanwhile, 38 percent of respondents said they were concerned front gardens could disappear as more EV infrastructure is needed. There is a lack of on-street charging bays across the UK (Image: Getty) Data from the Government clearly shows a lack of devices across the country just seven years ahead of a petrol and diesel new car sales ban. According to the latest figures, the entire North West region has just 39 public charging devices per 100,000 people. This rises to just 152 per 100,000 people in London where almost a third of all charging bays across the whole country are based. The new poll found that 28 percent of homeowners are worried about the growth of EV infrastructure in their neighbourhoods. A whopping 42 percent were concerned about cables running across the pathway with 39 percent worried about insufficient off-road parking with charging bays. Henrietta Norman, Landscape Architect and Creative Director of Tulip Landscapes claims installing electric charging bays while still enjoying keeping a garden intact is possible. She commented: ‘Homeowners with EVs looking to install charging points in their own home and worried about the impact of paving over their front garden needn’t despair. With a little creativity and planning it’s possible to free up the space to charge and keep the much needed habitat and beautiful planting our front gardens are known for.’