Fifty per cent of car buyers considering an EV
A recent carsales survey has found 52 per cent of those polled are open to buying an electric carSales of electric vehicles (EVs) are beginning to grow in Australia, possibly helped along by the ALP's mention of them during the May federal election and new releases like the Hyundai IONIQ and Kona Electric, and Nissan LEAF.
Australian consumers have been slower to jump on the EV bandwagon than consumers in Europe, but the winds of change are blowing our way.
A carsales survey of 1144 respondents has revealed that interest in EVs isn't going away – despite Labor's failure to win government.
In answer to the question, 'Have you ever considered purchasing an electric vehicle?', 52 per cent of those surveyed answered that they had considered an EV for their next car, but hadn't purchased one.
A smaller number – 46 per cent – replied that they hadn't considered an EV for their next car, and two per cent revealed that they had in fact purchased an EV already.
Asked 'What factors below are most important to you when thinking of electric vehicles?', the 'yes' voters – the 594 'considerers' who would buy an EV – listed the ability to buy one second-hand as the most important factor, at 40 per cent.
That no doubt reflects the current view that the price of a new EV is too high, which was the concern expressed by 31 per cent of considerers, followed by the environmental benefits of owning an EV – 24 per cent.
Very nearly half the considerers (49 per cent) were 'highly likely' to switch brands if it meant buying an EV to suit their needs.
Close to three quarters (74% combined) were 'likely' or 'highly likely' to buy an EV from a different brand. Only six per cent were 'highly unlikely' – and those respondents are also presumed unlikely to change brands for a conventional car.
The majority of considerers either 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' with the following statements:
- Electric vehicles are much quieter than other vehicles – 79% strongly agree, 18% agree
- Electric vehicles have excellent acceleration – 60% strongly agree, 26% agree
- Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly because they have zero emissions – 24% strongly agree, 38% agree
- The cost to charge an electric vehicle is much less than the fuel costs for a petrol or diesel vehicle – 36% strongly agree, 38% agree
- Electric vehicle technology has improved and they now have a much better range – 28% strongly agree, 52% agree
Only one statement – Electric vehicles cost about the same to buy as petrol or diesel vehicles – brought resounding disagreement. Only six per cent of respondents actually agreed or strongly agreed.
These results were broadly mirrored in the responses from the 'no' voters, although only 44 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that electric vehicles are environmentally friendly because they have zero emissions.
Among these respondents, 51 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that electric vehicles are environmentally friendly because they produce zero emissions.
What the survey results reveal is that society is in a transitional phase, with many automotive consumers now beginning to look kindly on electric vehicles as an alternative to conventional cars.
And the car companies are working hard to win over these consumers with the longer range of modern EVs and projected price parity in the future.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
