The European Different Fuels Observatory (EAFO) revealed its Client Monitor 2023 and analysed the attitudes of European residents in the direction of EVs in twelve EU international locations. On this foundation, the authority has compiled twelve nation experiences and an aggregated evaluation for Europe. The individuals within the survey, which was carried out in October 2023, got here from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The EAFO differentiates between electrical automotive drivers and non-BEV drivers among the many folks surveyed. A key discovering of the aggregated evaluation is that Europeans are typically in favour of electrical mobility. Though the value of electrical vehicles is a significant hurdle, 57 per cent of non-electric automotive drivers are contemplating shopping for an electrical automotive sooner or later.
Apparently, the figures fluctuate from nation to nation. In Belgium, for instance, solely 22 per cent mentioned that they want to get an EV inside the subsequent 5 years. On prime of which can be ten per cent, who will purchase one in 5 to 10 years and one other 12 per cent, who need to get an EV, “however with out a time-frame in thoughts.” Examine that to France, the place 33 per cent of non-BEV drivers surveyed need to get an electrical automotive within the subsequent 5 years, 8 per cent want to get one in 5 to 10 years, and a mere 6 per cent want to purchase an electrical automobile “with out a time-frame in thoughts.”
Nonetheless, meaning the underside line is that 44 and 47 per cent of non-BEV drivers surveyed are excited about an electrical automotive medium to long run. In Italy, for instance, that backside line is way larger. There, 65 per cent say that they’ll purchase an electrical automotive sooner or later. In Spain, it’s even 70 per cent.
Based mostly on the finished questionnaires, the EAFO initially created an image of the standard European BEV driver. These are predominantly males between the ages of 35 and 55 who reside in a indifferent home, have a medium earnings (2,000 to three,999 euros) and a excessive degree of schooling. Conversely, non-BEV drivers are typically ladies dwelling in a flat with a secondary faculty qualification.
Amongst non-BEV drivers, nonetheless, 57 per cent say they might purchase an electrical automotive within the brief, medium or long run. Eighteen per cent are undecided, and 25 per cent rule it out. If the time horizon for buying an electrical automotive is targeted on the following 5 years, 33% of European respondents nonetheless say they’re contemplating it. In line with the EAFO Monitor, 29 per cent of non-BEV drivers are already “acquainted” or “very acquainted” with electrical vehicles, whereas a very good third (37%) describe themselves as “excited about BEVs.” The figures for Germany differ barely. Barely extra individuals are contemplating shopping for a BEV inside 5 years (37%) than the EU common of twelve international locations. Nevertheless, familiarity with EVs (30%) and curiosity (36%) are nearly as good as the common.
Twenty-nine per cent of German, French, and Dutch respondents rule out an electrical automotive sooner or later. That’s barely greater than the common of the twelve international locations surveyed. In Belgium and Luxembourg, it’s even 35 per cent. In Italy, however, solely 19 per cent of non-BEV drivers surveyed rule out proudly owning an electrical automotive.
An important benefit of electrical vehicles from the respondents’ viewpoint is that they’re thought-about higher for the local weather; the largest drawback is the acquisition prices. The EAFO report calculated the median worth that European drivers are ready to pay for a BEV (used or new) at €20,000. That’s nonetheless greater than they’re prepared to spend on a combustion engine (15,000 euros).
In Germany, shoppers are even prepared to pay 25,000 euros (median worth). In Hungary, individuals are prepared to spend a most of 5,000 euros on a brand new or used ICE and as much as 10,000 euros on a brand new or used BEV mannequin.
By way of vary, the European respondents would really like greater than 500 km (47%) or 300 to 500 km (34%). Notably, amongst these with an electrical automotive, 84 per cent acknowledged that their vary is normally or all the time ample. Particularly, 6 per cent of European BEV drivers acknowledged a spread of as much as 200 kilometres, 41 per cent between 201 and 400 kilometres and 53 per cent greater than 401 kilometres. In Germany, as many as 93 per cent of BEV drivers are glad with their vary.
In the meantime, probably the most steadily used place for recharging is a charging station at house (55 per cent of respondents each day or a number of instances per week). For those who add charging at a family socket, this determine rises to 80 per cent. Public regular or quick charging stations (18% and 10%, respectively) are used much less steadily each day or a number of instances per week.
In Germany, the proportion of house chargers is decrease (47%), most likely additionally as a result of extra folks on this nation lease flats in comparison with different EU international locations. Alternatively, charging at work is extra standard (27 per cent) than the nationwide common (20 per cent). The identical is true for Belgium, for instance.
Nevertheless, in Denmark, it’s the different means round. 78 per cent cost at house utilizing a wall field charging station and one other 35 per cent plug their EV right into a socket at house. 38 per cent cost at their office. In Italy, too, 54 per cent of these surveyed famous that they use a wall field charging station at house and 25 per cent use a family socket.
Nearly a 3rd of European BEV drivers have by no means needed to wait at public charging stations (“if occupied, drive on”). And when travelling overseas, 60% of respondents rated their charging expertise as “straightforward” or “very straightforward.”
The EAFO has collected additional attention-grabbing info on electrical automotive drivers. For instance, 96 per cent of European BEV drivers use their automobile every day or a number of instances per week. Their electrical automotive is generally new (74%) and privately owned (69%). One in 5 leases (20%), and one in ten is an organization automotive (11%).
Slightly below half of electrical automotive drivers (44%) know what vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is, and a very good two-thirds (68%) are excited about shopping for a V2G-capable automobile. In Germany, the proportion of latest vehicles (86%) is considerably larger than the calculated EU common, however the proportion of personal possession is decrease (61%). Leasing (27%) and firm vehicles (12%) play a better function.
Most respondents contemplate a purchase order bonus to be the simplest incentive for rising electrical automotive gross sales. On the identical time, they concern that too few non-public and public AC charging choices could possibly be accessible. To a lesser extent, the survey individuals additionally acknowledged that too few public fast-charging stations might pose an issue.
With its Client Monitor, revealed for the second yr in a row, the EAFO goals to higher perceive shoppers’ attitudes in the direction of battery electrical vehicles, their electrical mobility and charging behaviour and the challenges folks understand on this context. In line with the analysts, political decision-makers and different stakeholders can use the outcomes to derive tendencies, wants, and alternatives to drive the transition.
By way of methodology, the authority carried out a web-based survey inside a closed panel to make sure the representativeness of the final inhabitants, together with non-BEV and BEV drivers. To enhance the evaluation amongst BEV drivers, an equivalent on-line survey was initiated by way of EAFO’s accomplice AVERE and different exterior individuals. The overall variety of legitimate responses totalled 19,080, of which 17,034 had been accomplished by non-BEV drivers and a pair of,046 by BEV drivers.
alternative-fuels-observatory.ec.europa.eu (Report, Europe), alternative-fuels-observatory.ec.europa.eu (Factsheet, Europe) alternative-fuels-observatory.ec.europa.eu (all 12 nation experiences and factsheets)