A study conducted by a mobility consultancy reveals that nearly a third of electric vehicle owners are considering purchasing a combustion engine car for their next vehicle. This surprising trend is explained in part by the constraints associated with long journeys. The survey, based on responses from 30,000 users in 15 countries, highlights the persistent challenges of electric mobility.
An unexpected turnaround in purchasing intentions
As the shift to electric vehicles has accelerated in recent years, a new study is shaking up certainties. McKinsey&Co, a specialist in analyzing market trends and mobility, has published a report revealing that 29% of electric car owners are considering switching back to a combustion engine vehicle for their next purchase.
This major study is based on a survey of more than 30,000 consumers in 15 different countries, covering Asia, Europe and North America. These regions alone represent 80% of the global automotive market, thus giving considerable weight to the results obtained.
Significant disparities between countries
The figures vary significantly from country to country:
The reasons for this possible return to the past
The study highlights several factors explaining this trend:
1. Constraints related to long journeys: This is the main reason cited by owners of electric vehicles. The difficulties encountered during long-distance journeys are pushing many drivers to reconsider their choice.
2. Insufficient charging infrastructure: 35% of users believe that the public charging network does not include enough charging points, making travel more complex.
3. Lack of autonomy: 32% of respondents point to the problems linked to the limited autonomy of electric vehicles, particularly for long journeys.
4. High ownership costs: 34% of owners believe that the costs associated with owning an electric vehicle are too high. Although maintenance is generally less expensive than for a combustion vehicle, repairing or replacing a worn or defective battery can be extremely costly.
5. The inability to recharge at home: 24% of respondents mentioned the inability to recharge their vehicle at home as a potential reason for returning to thermal vehicles.
6. Charging Stress: 21% of owners consider the constant worry of having to charge their batteries to be a major source of stress.
The undeniable advantages of electric vehicles
Despite these reservations, the study also highlights the strengths of electric vehicles. Only 13% of respondents consider the driving experience as a reason to return to an internal combustion vehicle. This demonstrates the undeniable advantages that this technology brings in terms of ease of use, driving comfort and silence compared to vehicles equipped with a combustion engine.
This study highlights the persistent challenges facing the electric vehicle industry. Although the transition to this technology is underway, there are still obstacles to overcome to convince drivers in the long term. Improving autonomy, developing charging infrastructure and reducing ownership costs seem to be the priorities to ensure the long-term success of electric vehicles.