Interest in electric cars is waning

Interest in electric cars is waning

With the Global Automotive Consumer Study, the consulting firm Deloitte surveys the attitudes of consumers worldwide to current developments in the automotive sector every year. For the current edition, more than 26,000 consumers from 24 countries were surveyed, including around 1,000 people from Austria. The central finding: The electric car trend is only getting off to a slow start. According to the survey, most Austrians want to continue to opt for combustion engines the next time they buy a car. Above all, the relatively short range as well as the high purchase costs and lack of charging options mean that most Austrians continue to lean towards combustion engines.

"Compared to the previous year, interest in petrol and diesel vehicles has fallen by 4%, but a majority of 54% of those surveyed are still planning to buy a combustion engine. Electric cars therefore remain an exception and the end of the combustion engine is a long way off," explains Matthias Kunsch, partner at Deloitte Austria. According to the survey, interest in completely battery-powered electric vehicles has actually decreased slightly in this country: only 9% would choose a battery drive for their next car - last year it was still 10%. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly popular: While this form of drive was only an option for 11% of survey participants last year, 16% can currently imagine purchasing a plug-in vehicle.

The advantages of electric cars are well known: Austrian respondents primarily cited lower fuel costs as the main motivation for switching, followed by incentives from the government. For many, climate change also speaks in favor of a vehicle with an electric drive. However, more than half of those interested in electric cars would reconsider their decision if an environmentally friendly, synthetic fuel for internal combustion engines - keyword e-fuel - were available. Uncertainties surrounding electric vehicles persist. "Austrian consumers are most concerned about the lack of range when it comes to battery-powered cars, but the lack of affordability and sustainability concerns also have a deterrent effect. At the same time, long charging times and a lack of charging options are a problem for many," emphasizes Kunsch.

Currently, electrically powered vehicles do not yet meet the needs of the general population. Most Austrians want to spend an average of between EUR 15,000 and EUR 30,000 on their car. Many electric models are clearly out of the ordinary here. In addition, 38% of those who have previously relied on combustion engines expect a fully charged electric car to have a range of at least 600 km. Only then would they consider it as a serious option. "Most electric cars can currently only offer a range of around 400 km. However, it is time for consumers to adapt their expectations to the technological reality of electric drives and put convenience a little further behind. On the one hand, a much shorter range is usually required in everyday life, but on the other hand, reducing emissions should also become more of a focus," emphasizes the Deloitte expert.

The topic of charging infrastructure also plays a central role in the widespread establishment of e-mobility. According to their own statements, a third of interested parties at home would primarily use public charging options. Many want charging options at traditional gas stations that have basic amenities like drinks, restrooms and Wi-Fi. "Especially in view of the longer charging times, the desire for charging filling stations is understandable. However, there is still a lack of corresponding offers and, especially in rural areas, there is a fundamental lack of sufficient charging stations," says Matthias Kunsch, and continues: "In order to advance the e-car trend more quickly, efforts are needed on the part of manufacturers and the government, especially in terms of infrastructure and subsidies."