Home » News » Citizens’ survey reveals the main obstacles to buying an electric car – People and cars – Cars

Citizens’ survey reveals the main obstacles to buying an electric car – People and cars – Cars

  • Great public support for the use of electric cars – 92% in Lithuania, 82% in Latvia and 79% in Estonia
  • In the next five years, almost every fourth person in Latvia plans to buy an electric car
  • 0% emissions and quiet engine – the main advantages of electric cars
  • Barriers to the use of electric cars – underdeveloped charging network, possible high initial cost mileage and charging time

A survey of Baltic residents conducted by Citadele and Norstat * in September revealed not only the potential interest of Latvians in the electric car and the main factors influencing the entry of an electric car into the average household, but also the fact that Lithuanians are the most open to this type of car. Namely, in Lithuania, 92% of the population appreciate traveling by electric car. In Latvia and Estonia, the respective figures are 82 and 79%, informed Kristīne Mennika, Head of Corporate Communications at Citadele.

In ten years, 39% of the population in Latvia will probably drive an electric car, according to a survey. The use of electric cars is most often supported by women, under the age of 29, from Kurzeme and Riga, while the supporters of the internal combustion engine are more often men, in the age group over 50, from Vidzeme and with more than 4 children.

In general, public support for the use of electric cars is high, and it is also supported by those who do not plan to buy a personal car.

A survey of Baltic residents shows that Lithuanians are the biggest supporters of electric cars – in Lithuania twice less than in the other Baltic countries or only 6%, while in Latvia 13% and 16% answered that they never plan to buy an electric car because they only support internal combustion engine cars.

The underdeveloped charging network, the possible mileage and charging time, as well as the relatively high initial costs are recognized by the residents of all three Baltic States as the most significant obstacles to the use of electric cars. 63% of respondents in Latvia point to an underdeveloped car charging network and 60% to the possible mileage and duration of charging, as well as 54% mention relatively high initial costs. On the other hand, other barriers, such as financial incentives, suitability for climatic conditions and living in an apartment building, are, according to the respondents, twice as insignificant.

“Resolving the questions about the practical obstacles that the residents have indicated in the survey, the electric car can enter our daily lives even faster than we think, because emotionally the society is open and ready to use electric cars. If initially several years ago the choice of electric cars was perhaps largely emotionally justified, now there is already an economic justification for the purchase of electric cars. Manufacturers are working intensively on new models of electric cars – the potential mileage is significantly increased, while price differences are narrowing. After the leasing requests, we see that currently the biggest interest in purchasing electric cars is for entrepreneurs. They estimate that with leasing and no down payment, it is possible to reduce the initial cost of purchasing an electric car. Households, on the other hand, most often have an electric car as the second car in the family, ”says Pēteris Plaudis, Chairman of the Board of Citadele Leasing and Factoring.

Residents of the Baltic States agree on two main advantages of electric cars – the car does not pollute the environment with exhaust gases, and has a quiet engine that does not make noise. The people of the Baltic States are divided on other advantages. Unlike Lithuania and Estonia, Latvians do not appreciate low operating costs. In Latvia, other additional financial benefits are highly valued – for example, no taxes, free parking, the opportunity to drive along the public transport lane. In Lithuania, the third most important advantage of electric cars is that it is an innovative technology of the future, while in Estonia – that the car can be charged at home.

*The survey was conducted in mid-September, involving 1,004 respondents in Latvia, 1,000 in Lithuania and 1,000 in Estonia. Respondents are between 18 and 74 years old and the sample is representative.

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