One in three people is considering buying an electric car

One in three people is considering buying an electric car

The promotion of electromobility is considered one of the essential building blocks for achieving the Paris climate goals. According to a current, Europe-wide user survey by AutoScout24, electric cars are increasingly becoming the focus of those who are currently planning to buy a car. According to this, one in three respondents from Austria is currently considering purchasing an electric car. For four out of ten Austrians, a hybrid model may be an option. Europe's largest online car market surveyed 5,566 AutoScout24 users from Austria, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands for the study. An international comparison shows that Germans in particular have major concerns when it comes to electric cars. Respondents from the Netherlands are the most open and best informed. 

In the current study, AutoScout24 examined two groups separately: general website users and those users who are currently specifically planning to purchase a new car. A look at those currently buying shows that electric cars are very popular: a total of 17 percent are “definitely” considering buying an electric car, and another 20 percent would “maybe” choose a battery-powered one. This means that 37 percent are open to purchasing an electric car. Nevertheless, not everyone who is currently buying a car is yet convinced of the new drives. 44 percent of those surveyed said they definitely did not want to buy an electric car at the moment, 19 percent probably not. When looking at hybrid vehicles, the assessment is more balanced: 42 percent are considering a corresponding purchase in their current search, for 34 percent it is not an option.

Internationally, the attitudes towards drives among current car buyers are comparable to those here. 37 percent of Italians and Germans include electric cars in their search profile, while the figure for Belgians is only 35 percent. The Dutch are much more open-minded: 45 percent consider buying an electric car. Hybrid vehicles are also more popular in the Netherlands than elsewhere in Europe: 56 percent are considering buying them, but only 52 percent of Italian, 47 percent of Belgian and 51 percent of German users.

Concerns about costs and charging infrastructure

When it comes to concerns about electric cars, it's worth taking a look at the overall group of those surveyed in the study. This shows that price is the top priority across Europe. 62 percent of German respondents are of the opinion that it is more expensive to buy an electric car than a comparable vehicle with a combustion engine. Respondents from Austria (62 percent), Belgium (64 percent) and Italy (65 percent) see it similarly. In the Netherlands, however, significantly fewer users share this concern: only 47 percent there are of the opinion that you have to dig deeper into your pockets for an electric car than for a combustion engine.  

Another pain point is concerns about charging infrastructure. Germans in particular are concerned about this: 54 percent believe that it is difficult to supply the electric car with energy because there are only a few charging stations in this country. In Belgium, 47 percent of respondents agree with these concerns, in Italy it is 46 percent and in Austria 44 percent. In the Netherlands, however, things seem to be in much better shape when it comes to the charging infrastructure, with only 25 percent expressing concern about this point.  

What about concerns that an electric car might not be suitable for everyday use? Here too, Germans are the most concerned: 30 percent believe that there could be problems with the drive technology in everyday life. Austrians (28 percent) and Belgians (21 percent) are also no strangers to this idea. In the Netherlands and Italy, however, this point only causes headaches for 15 percent of those surveyed.

It is interesting to take a look at the AutoScout24 users with specific purchase intentions. Let's first focus on the Austrian study participants: Although the price is relevant for 46 percent of those surveyed in this group, other topics are more important. At the top is the range, which 62 percent consider relevant, followed by the ability to quickly charge the battery (49 find this important). Also important for those interested in electric cars: comfort (important for 37 percent), storage space (34 percent) and high efficiency (36 percent). For almost a third (30 percent), financial support measures are relevant for the car in question.  

Looking abroad, it becomes clear that reach is the most important criterion everywhere, but the respondents have different priorities. In Italy, the price is of central importance: 49 percent attach importance to it, 51 percent even expect the vehicle to be subsidized. Elsewhere, however, people are increasingly relying on a comfortable vehicle: this is important to 45 percent of Belgians and 43 percent of Dutch people. For the same nations, the brand also plays a role. 25 percent of Dutch and 24 percent of Belgian respondents want a premium product. For comparison: This is important to only 11 percent of Austrians.

Information not sufficient across Europe 

Even though e-mobility is being discussed more and more frequently in the media, around two thirds of the Europeans surveyed (overall group) have the feeling that they are not sufficiently informed about it. One in three people in this country (33 percent) would like more information about the resulting maintenance costs. And almost as many (30 percent) are not clear about the advantages and disadvantages of an electric car compared to hybrid vehicles. In Italy, the need for information is even higher: 37 percent long for data on maintenance costs and 33 percent want information about the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars. The Dutch know best: Only 61 percent do not feel sufficiently informed, and accordingly only one in four (25 percent) would like information about maintenance costs and the pros and cons of electric vehicles and hybrids.

André Eckert, Country Manager of AutoScout24 in Austria "The study shows that those interested in cars internationally and especially in Austria are demanding more information about e-cars. There are uncertainties in the areas of range, charging options and maintenance costs of the vehicles and the comparison of these parameters with their own life situation. The more transparent the market, the vehicles and the handling of the e-cars are to consumers, the more willing they are to consider purchasing corresponding models. We therefore need investments in technology and in Infrastructure measures also include an information offensive in the area of e-mobility.”