UK Drivers Are Naming Their Electric Cars

New research commissioned by Isuzu UK, ahead of the upcoming release of its fully electric D-Max EV, has revealed that 58% of EV owners feel emotionally connected to their car and have started giving them names.

With the 2030 deadline approaching for all new cars to be electric, 50% of Brits say EVs are changing how they relate to their vehicles. For some, that connection is reflected in how they care for them. 17% clean their car weekly out of pride, and 15% are more diligent with check-ups than they were with petrol or diesel models.

The quieter and greener nature of EVs appears to be a major factor, too. A third (33%) of respondents say they enjoy cars more now because they’re environmentally friendly, while a quarter (24%) feel more attached because they’re less noisy.

Nearly half (46%) of EV owners have named their car.

1. Evie – 29%
2. Herbie – 15%
3. Sparky – 13%
4. Yoda – 10%
5. Silent Ride – 9%
6. Electron – 8%
7. Voltaire – 8%
8. Charge Clooney – 7%
9. Precious – 7%
10. Volt – 7%
11. Ghost machine – 6%
12. Lighting – 6%
13. Whisper – 5%
14. Hushmobile – 5%
15. Watts Up? – 4%
16. E-Motion – 4%
17. AC/DC-Angelo – 4%
18. Zip – 4%
19. Jolt Travolta – 4%
20. Silent but deadly – 3%
21. Chargezilla – 3%
22. Sparky McChargeface – 3%
23. Watt Smith – 3%
24. Zap Efron – 3%
25. Morgan Freecharge – 3%

38% match the name’s first letter to the car brand, 25% draw inspiration from the model, while others take cues from family names, colours, or favourite films.

The survey, based on 2,000 participants, also found nearly half (49%) of drivers talk to their car, with 55% claiming they speak to their EV more than to their loved ones.

George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK, commented: “Brits clearly have a real spark when it comes to naming their EVs, from Charge Clooney to Volty McVoltface. It’s great to see such strong emotional connections forming around this technology.”

Set to launch with pre-sales later in 2025, the Isuzu D-Max EV will be the UK’s first fully electric pick-up to offer a 1-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing capacity, and full-time 4WD.

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