Shell study: Driving pleasure accelerates switch to e-cars

Besides climate protection, driving experience and technology are the main reasons for switching to e-cars.

This is the result of a recent study by Shell Recharge Solutions. According to the study, these considerations play a decisive role for three out of four customers. Around 55 per cent of respondents prefer electric cars because of their cost advantages. The study is based on the EV Driver Survey, the largest survey of e-car drivers in Europe.

However, the study does not reveal exclusively broad euphoria. Many people are still dissatisfied with the charging situation. This is due to the number of charging points, which is still perceived as too low, as well as poor access. In addition, only a third of those surveyed believe that stations along motorways reach the necessary speeds. For locations near retail and gastronomy, this number even drops to one fifth.

Billing is also still a vexed issue. According to the study, 36 per cent of e-car drivers now have four or more charging cards for public charging. That is an increase of 21 per cent compared to last year. It goes on to say that more than half of the respondents are willing to pay more for access to the entire charging infrastructure with just one card. The connection between infrastructure and behaviour has grown. According to the report, around 65 per cent of drivers drive more frequently to destinations where charging options are available. 54 per cent of respondents say that the availability of charging points influences where they shop and where they drive.

More than half of the drivers are willing to accept lower charging speeds for increased use of renewable energy. 40 per cent of respondents would even take a further route to charge at a renewable energy charging point. Furthermore, the study shows that almost a third of drivers want to charge their car with electricity generated at home as well as with renewable electricity.

The lower total cost of ownership is the biggest contributor to the wider adoption of electric vehicles, according to the study's findings. Three-quarters of respondents plan to buy an all-electric car next, up from 62 per cent last year. The share of those who want to switch back to traditional combustion cars has halved from four to two per cent. However, 68 per cent of e-car drivers are worried about rising electricity prices.

Melanie Lande, head of Shell Recharge Solutions Europe, comments on the results as follows: "The industry as a whole needs to understand the challenges faced by e-car drivers to facilitate the mainstream switch. Drivers are excited about the technology, cost and sustainability. At the same time, it is evident that an inadequate customer experience is one of the biggest hurdles to widespread adoption."