Nearly 75 percent would drive an electric car

LONDON (Reuters) - Nearly three-quarters of British motorists would consider driving an electric car, a survey has found.

Whether for "green" reasons or to escape congestion charges and the ever-rising cost of fuel, 71 percent of drivers would consider making the switch, it said on Friday.

Amongst under-25s that figure rises as high as 81 percent, the survey for esure car insurance found, although only 66 percent of 55s were in favour.

Among the sample of 1,082 motorists, 65 percent had changed their attitude towards driving because of the credit crunch and a general tightening of the nation's purse strings.

Nearly one fifth (17 percent) were thinking about changing their car to one that is more fuel-efficient.

"But although there is clearly a demand for electric cars, the only way for them to become a viable option is to have a sufficient infrastructure in place," said esure's head of risk and underwriting Mike Pickard.

There should be enough plug-in points across the country and a greater choice of make and models, he added.