Nearly half of UK drivers believe cars will soon be able to diagnose faults before they break down, while more than a third expect five minute EV charging to become standard by 2035, according to new research from BYD.
The findings, based on a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, point to growing demand for intelligent vehicle technology, a key focus area as manufacturers develop next-generation electric vehicles.
BYD’s survey shows 49% of drivers expect cars to predict maintenance issues before failure, while 47% want vehicles to spot hazards further in advance.
Around 35% expect enhanced turning capabilities to help navigate tight parking spaces, and 30% want cars that can find and pay for parking automatically.
Demand is higher among electrified vehicle drivers.
Among plug in hybrid owners, 71% expect cars to diagnose faults before breakdown, while 63% want improved hazard detection, compared with 46% of drivers overall.
Ultra fast charging is also emerging as a key expectation.
Around 34% of drivers expect five minute EV charging to become standard by 2035, rising to 54% among EV drivers and 53% of plug in hybrid owners.
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Five minute charge expected to be mainstream
Steve Beattie, deputy country manager at BYD UK, said more than half of EV and plug in hybrid drivers expect rapid charging to become mainstream. Flash charging will be available on BYD’s sub-brand Denza, launching first on the Z9GT.
He said: “More than half of EV and PHEV owners believe that five minute charging will become a standard feature in everyday cars by 2035.
“Our Flash Charging tech makes that possible, charging BYD’s latest Blade Battery 2.0 from 10-70% in that timeframe.”
The research also highlights interest in more advanced and unconventional features.
Around 14% of respondents want vehicles that can avoid potholes, rising to 34% among drivers aged 18 to 24. A further 13% expect flood proof vehicles to become a reality.
Beattie said the gap between emerging technology and everyday use is narrowing, with driver expectations evolving quickly.
“The line between science fiction and everyday driving is getting thinner,” he said, adding that drivers increasingly expect technology that reduces stress and improves usability.
“Our research shows that common desires from the public expectations, like pothole avoiding cars, and even seemingly far fetched features like amphibious capabilities, are not as far off as you might think. Models from BYD’s luxury brand, YANGWANG, have already demonstrated these innovations in the real world.”
Younger drivers are leading demand for self diagnosing vehicles, with 59% of those aged 18 to 24 expecting the feature by 2035. The same group is also the most likely to expect improved hazard detection.
Drivers aged 25 to 34 show the strongest interest in parking assistance features, with 39% supporting technology to help navigate tight spaces. Regionally, London drivers are the most enthusiastic, with 41% backing advanced parking systems.