German consumers concerned about electric car practicalities

German consumers are concerned about the practicalities of owning an electric car, according to a survey by market research company GfK. For 54 per cent of those interested in buying an electric car, purchase premiums and tax benefits were not a reason to choose one. However, three out of four consumers looking to buy a new car considered the environmental aspects and low noise of an electric vehicle to be important. Lower maintenance costs compared to petrol or diesel vehicles were also key, while 72 per cent considered low fuel consumption costs to be important.

While two thirds thought the cost of buying an electric car was too high, 56 per cent were worried about their reach and half were worried that there were not enough charging points. Some 75 per cent said that they would want a charging point at home and 37 per cent required one at work, where longer charging times were seen as acceptable. However, 46 per cent said that it would be important to be able to charge the car quickly at a petrol station. GfK emphasised that home charging points were a precondition of electric mobility expanding.

"The results of the study indicate that charging at home is a basic requirement for the further spread of electric mobility," commented Philipp Schmidt, energy and environment expert at GfK. "In addition, it is important to provide the widest possible charging network.”

Emotional aspects such as driving pleasure, however, were mentioned by only six per cent of respondents as a reason for driving an electric car. "The emotional aspects of electric cars have obviously not yet arrived in the minds of consumers," said Bettina Saffer, automotive expert at GfK. "However, these are crucial when it comes to buying a car."