NewMotion, Europe’s largest smart charging solutions provider for electric vehicles, releases findings from its first annual customer survey, revealing attitudes towards electric vehicle usage throughout Europe.
In 2016 the number of electric cars on the road rose to 1% of the total car market in several countries, including United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Norway. By the end of 2016 there were 2m electric vehicles on the road globally, one hundred times more than 2010. With growth set to continue, NewMotion surveyed early adopters to gain insight into this dynamic market.
The survey, which asked over 5,000 NewMotion users throughout Europe questions about their EV usage, including motivations and how they use their EV, gives an interesting insight into the behaviour of a growing number of people taking advantage of the electric vehicle revolution.
So what does a typical electric vehicle driver look like in 2017? The survey shows that the majority of EV users in Europe are men (82%) and over the age of 41 (82%). 92% of those surveyed are either married, in a relationship or living with a partner and the vast majority (94%) of EV users live in a household with two or more people.
Over half of respondents (57%) use their EV to commute to work, whilst a quarter of users (25%) estimate that they save up to 60% on the monthly cost of running an EV car compared to a traditional fuel car and 48% have changed the way they drive to be more conscious of the energy they consume. In addition, the survey showed that EV users take other steps to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, with 59% of people recycling all household waste, 39% have solar panels installed at their homes, 23% compost and 22% collect rain water.
Research shows that total cost of ownership of an EV is lower than a traditional fuel vehicle. Whilst EVs are more expensive to buy and may require an additional investment for home charging, charge costs are considerably lower as are maintenance costs, insurance, taxes and many EV drivers benefit from government subsidies. NewMotion research shows that when two comparable class cars, a Nissan Leaf and a Nissan Pulsar, go head-to-head the costs of powering an EV is up to £500 less for the same annual mileage.
Sander van der Veen, UK Country Manager, NewMotion commented: “The EV market is changing dramatically. With the arrival of affordable EV cars, increased government subsidies and investment into infrastructure, we’re starting to see the beginning of the electric vehicle revolution that will only gain in momentum throughout 2017. Consumer demand is growing, and as societies continue to become more and more urbanised, EV is a fantastic way for individuals to contribute to a more sustainable, longer term form of personal transport.”
When asked what people wanted to see from EVs and EV charging in the future an average of 7 out of 10 want to see some form of Airb’n’b for EVs, allowing users more freedom to offer their neighbours the ability to hire their EV, an average of 6 out of 10 want to see automated charge points with display screens that provide them with how much energy they are using and how far their vehicle will travel.
A number of governments are encouraging consumers to go electric with various subsidies. In the UK individuals can get a subsidy of up to 35% on the cost of the car as long as it meets governmental requirements. In France, consumers can get up to €10,000 towards buying an EV (a mixture or feebate, bonus and scrappage for diesel vehicles). The German government offer a €4,000 grant towards the costs of a fully electric vehicle and €3,000 towards a hybrid car, and in the Netherlands there are lower registration taxes for people buying an EV.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, NewMotion is a pioneering electric vehicle charging company offering over 30,000 cloud-connected smart charge points and has over 80,000 registered charge cards throughout Europe. NewMotion allows businesses and private users to charge their electric vehicles, using smart technology that monitors usage, helps plan your journey, manages costs and load balances power requirements from the national grid.
With over seven years’ experience of designing, installing and managing smart charge points and services as well as charge networks, NewMotion is also a Red Dot Design award winning company, recognising product design excellence.
