Electric and hybrid vehicles are attracting increasing interest. Industry observers expect that this will basically remain the case for the next few years. But there are still differences between the individual buyer groups.
According to a survey and market analysis, the ramp-up of e-mobility in Europe is likely to intensify in the medium term.
More than half (55 percent) of the participating consumers stated in a study that they would want to get an electric or hybrid vehicle within the next two years, as the consulting firm PwC Strategy & reported. Among the operators of company fleets, all those questioned would have said that.
If you look another year ahead, up to 23 percent of all new car sales could be achieved by 2024 for the six countries under consideration – Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Norway. For company cars, the analysts are already assuming a possible electric quota of 55 percent. A total of more than 3800 consumers as well as 103 companies and 30 large retailers in these countries were surveyed.
According to data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, pure electric vehicles made up a good 12 percent of new registrations in the Federal Republic of Germany. Almost 28 percent were normal or plug-in hybrids, which some critics regard as sham due to the fact that combustion engines are switched on. Sales of cars with alternative drives also grew thanks to lavish government subsidies.
While current owners of electric or hybrid vehicles often came from higher income groups, many of the future prospective buyers would also have a little less money available, according to the authors in the summary. Up to now, electric cars have usually been relatively expensive – in addition to their limited range and patchy charging infrastructure, they were the biggest stumbling block for the long hesitant demand.
59 percent of the consumers surveyed were also open to buying an e or hybrid car online, the consultants said. The manufacturers are expanding this channel in addition to their classic car dealerships. According to the analysis, many retailers assume that demand from rural areas continues to lag behind that from metropolitan areas. At the same time, e-car buyers often decided to buy the charging technology and other services at the same time. The network coverage is less in the area.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
