92% of EV owners won't return to petrol or diesel cars: global survey

Jet Sanchez
  • Sign in required

    Please sign in to your account to add a vehicle to favourite

  • Share this article

Worldwide survey confirms EVs are here to stay.

Worldwide survey confirms EVs are here to stay.

The first-ever Global EV Driver Survey reveals that electric vehicle (EV) owners overwhelmingly plan to stick with electric power, with 92% stating they would never return to a petrol or diesel car. 

The survey, conducted by the Global EV Alliance (GEVA), gathered responses from over 23,000 EV drivers across 18 countries, marking one of the most comprehensive studies to date on EV user satisfaction.

While EVs are often championed for their environmental benefits, the survey highlights that lower running costs are the primary motivation for ownership. 

GEVA survey

Nearly half (45%) of respondents cited the reduced operating expenses as their top reason for purchasing an EV, with one respondent noting, “This should serve as an eye-opener for policymakers worldwide”.

Climate concerns followed closely, with 40% of drivers choosing EVs for their role in reducing emissions.

Other notable factors included local environmental improvements (32%), enhanced driveability (21%), and lower maintenance costs (18%)

Despite high satisfaction levels, charging infrastructure remains a notable pain point.

GEVA survey

The survey indicates that 23% of EV owners struggle with the limited availability of fast chargers, while 19% highlighted the time-consuming nature of charging. Frequent downtime of charging stations also emerged as a recurring issue.

Christian Peter, Director of EMC Austria, stressed the importance of addressing these issues to encourage further adoption: “Developing consumer-friendly charging solutions is crucial for the growth of the EV mass market.” While most drivers charge at home, the lack of reliable fast chargers on long journeys continues to deter potential buyers.

GEVA’s survey methodology weighted responses based on each country’s share of the global EV fleet, providing a more accurate global picture. Results from large EV markets like the USA received higher weighting, whereas smaller markets like Sweden had reduced influence. 

The study’s breadth highlights a clear global trend: EV drivers not only appreciate their vehicles but also remain committed to zero-emission mobility.

GEVA survey

With only 1% of respondents indicating they would return to a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle and 4% considering plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), the results underscore EVs’ growing dominance.

GEVA’s findings reinforce that electric vehicles are far from a passing trend. Satisfaction among owners remains exceptionally high, driven primarily by cost savings and environmental benefits. 

However, improving charging infrastructure will be crucial to ensuring EV adoption continues its upward trajectory.

As Joel Levin, Chair of GEVA, summarised, “Drivers love the EV experience, and EVs are here to stay.”

Gallery