The survey, conducted among a sample of 23,000 electric vehicle drivers worldwide, revealed that just 1% would return to a petrol or diesel vehicle, while 4% would choose a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they needed to replace their vehicle.
As Petter Haugneland, assistant secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association, reports, “the results confirm that electric vehicle drivers are extremely satisfied with their choice, and reports of a decline in the popularity of electric vehicles are largely exaggerated. According to research firm TrendForce, global sales of electric vehicles, including hybrids and PHEVs, are expected to reach 16.26 million in 2024, an increase of 25% compared to 2023.
The survey also revealed that the main motivation for electric vehicle buyers, apart from environmental concerns, is lower operating costs. Ellen Hiep, board member of the Dutch Electric Vehicle Drivers Association, stresses that “this should be a wake-up call for policy makers worldwide”, adding that meeting the targets to reduce emissions from road transport depends on electric vehicles more affordable for everyone.
According to research by J.D. Powers, incentives have played a critical role in consumer decisions. 64% of premium EV owners and 49% of mass market owners said incentives were a key factor in their decision.
Incentive programs were cited as the main reason for purchase by 81% of Volkswagen buyers, 77% of Chevrolet buyers and 72% of Tesla buyers. In contrast, only 32% of Hyundai buyers, 24% of Kia buyers and 21% of Toyota buyers cited incentives as a primary reason for choosing their vehicle.
