Three-quarters of EV drivers (76%) believe electric cars are the future – although 91% admit that driving the battery-powered vehicles has taken some getting used to.

A survey of 500 adults, who have made the switch from combustion engines, found that 29% are “glad” they did so – as 43% believe EVs will replace petrol or diesel motors by 2030.

However, eight in ten claim they were initially deterred from switching to an electric engine, as they didn't believe it could make long journeys.

Some of the top questions they wish had been answered for them before they tried an electric car include how many miles it could travel before it needed a charge, and how fast it was able to drive.

Other uncertainties they had around charging included what chargers they could and couldn't use, what to do it they ran out battery in the middle of the road – and even how to get the engine started.

However, 76% believe that making the switch to an electric engine is one of the best ways to help the environment, the research found.

The study was commissioned by car-sharing firm, Zipcar UK, to mark the company hitting 1,000 electric vehicles in its fleet – a key milestone in its vision to be fully electric by 2025.

James Taylor, general manager at the brand, said: “Electric cars are fun to drive, but as with anything new they can take some getting used to.

“That being said, this research shows that the public are keen to try and find out more about electric cars – and our numbers back this up too, with over 130,000 members having driven one of our EVs.

“There are a lot of myths about running out of battery too early, taking too long to charge up, and how fast they can go – but it’s reassuring to see people who drive them love them, and see them being a big part of the future.”

The research also found those surveyed know an average of four others who drive an electric vehicle – with eight in ten of those having a positive experience. However, 73% also feel they are too expensive to buy outright.

In a separate poll, of 2,000 people who have never driven an EV, half would feel confident driving one, even though they haven’t before – and 48% of those who don't feel confident would still love the chance to trial one.

TV personality, Sam Thompson, who recently trialled one of Zipcar UK’s EVs for the first time, said: “Driving an electric car is something I’ve been wanting to try for a while, but I was quite apprehensive about it – so having the opportunity to trial one through Zipcar was a great way to give it a go.

“While it took a minute to get used to the silence of the electric engine and the power behind the wheel, I loved how smooth it felt on the road, and I couldn’t help but get excited by it all – I felt like a kid again.”

The research also found 38% of non-EV drivers want more information about the range they can travel, and 49% want to get used to driving a battery-powered car because they are the future.

But 44% don’t believe the battery lasts as long as they like, according to the figures by OnePoll.