EV buyers say emissions aren't their top concern
A new survey found that affordability drives EV adoption, with emissions ranking as a secondary factor.
Governments have long pushed for adopting electric vehicles (EVs) to curb greenhouse gas emissions, but a new survey of EV owners found that emissions are not the driving factor behind their purchase.
EV buyers are primarily motivated by lower operating costs rather than environmental benefits, according to a global survey conducted by the Global EV Drivers Alliance (GEVA). The survey, which gathered responses from over 23,000 EV drivers across 18 countries, found that affordability is the leading reason people choose EVs. While reducing emissions is important to many buyers, it ranked as the second most common motivator.
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Most EV drivers wouldn’t switch back
The survey’s results also highlight strong satisfaction among EV owners. An overwhelming 92% of respondents said they plan to stick with zero-emission EVs for their next purchase, while only 1% indicated they’d return to gas-powered cars. 4% would consider a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
“This is a remarkably high number and the results confirm that drivers love the EV experience and EVs are here to stay,” said Joel Levin, chair of GEVA and director of Plug In America.
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Charging challenges due to lacking infrastructure
Despite their enthusiasm, EV drivers still report challenges with charging infrastructure. The survey identified the availability of fast chargers, the time it takes to charge, and downtime at charging stations as the top frustrations.
“This demonstrates that EV drivers are similar to consumers in general – they desire convenience and a hassle-free experience,” said Christian Peter, director of EMC ElektroMobilitätsClub of Austria. “Even though the majority of EV drivers charge at home most of the time, developing consumer-friendly charging solutions is crucial for the growth of the EV mass market.”
While the survey noted that charging networks are steadily expanding, gaps remain in ensuring a seamless experience.
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A global snapshot of EV drivers
The survey, conducted between August and November 2024, is the first of its kind to analyze EV driver experiences on a global scale. GEVA, a grassroots network of 64 national EV driver associations representing over 336,000 EV owners, used weighted results to reflect the varying EV adoption rates across countries.
Across the thousands of EV owners surveyed, the fact that cost arose as the number one driver behind their purchase should be an “eye-opener for policymakers worldwide,” said Ellen Hiep, board member of the Dutch Electric Vehicle Drivers Association. “While a vibrant electric vehicle market is crucial for reducing climate emissions from road transport, achieving this goal hinges on making EVs an even more affordable option for all.”
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Final thoughts
As consumer interest in EVs stagnates across much of North America and Europe, it’s crucial for companies and policymakers to understand the chief concerns of prospective buyers, namely cost and convenience.
While many EV owners surveyed said that reducing emissions is a priority for them, having affordable EV models to choose from and a robust charging network are necessities. Appealing to consumer concerns about emissions simply isn’t enough to drive EV adoption into the future.
