A third of Germans open to buying an e-car in next five years – survey

Over one third of German car owners (36 percent) say they could imagine buying an electric car in the next five years, but more than half say it’s not an option, in large part because of the cost. That’s according to a new survey conducted for the Association of Technical Inspection Agencies (VdTÜV). The survey of 1,000 people, conducted as part of the "TÜV Mobility Study 2020," found a range of factors preventing car-buyers from choosing electric vehicles. 48 percent of respondents cited the high cost of new electric vehicles, 47 percent said the vehicles’ range was an issue, and 39 percent cited too few charging stations, according to the VdTÜV press release accompanying the survey. Only 46 percent of respondents said they believed that a switch to e-mobility would help to fight climate change. “For large sections of the population, electric cars are too expensive, their range is too short, and their contribution to climate protection is unclear," said Dr. Joachim Bühler, managing director of VdTÜV, in the press release.

The survey found that respondents ranked traffic congestion as their largest mobility concern. 46 percent said congestion in city centres was the most serious problem in Germany’s transport system, while 40 percent cited air pollution, 37 percent cited climate pollution, 36 percent cited too many traffic jams and 23 percent cited the high number of accidents with fatalities and injuries. When asked what they would most like to change, cost topped the list, with 38 percent saying they would like to spend less money on mobility.

The survey found that the car was still the most important means of transportation in Germany: 65 percent of German citizens travel by car on weekdays. In terms of other forms of transportation used during weekdays, 50 percent reported walking, 32 percent use public transport, as many as 29 percent ride bikes and 8 percent use local or regional trains, VdTÜV found.