Why Electric Cars Are Losing Ground: Truth Behind Owner Dissatisfaction

Electric vehicle sales plummet
Car owners’ satisfaction is low
What are the results of the latest survey?

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US, China, and Europe increased by about 30% in 2023.

According to a recent survey conducted in the US, electric vehicle sales in major overseas markets may also show negative growth in the long term.

46% of electric vehicle owners
Not thinking about the next car

McKinsey & Company in the US recently announced the results of a survey conducted every two years. The results of this study were performed on more than 30,000 participants in 15 countries, which account for more than 80% of global sales. To obtain more accurate survey results, it consisted of approximately 200 detailed questions about electric vehicle purchase and driving experience, satisfaction, etc.

The results were shocking. In the US, 46% of electric vehicle owners were found to be highly likely to purchase an internal combustion engine vehicle when purchasing their next vehicle. The results of this study are meaningful in that they reveal that electric vehicles are beginning to be ignored even in the US, where automobile companies from around the world gather.

Why are owners tired of electric vehicles?
Unresolved infrastructure issues

Broadening the scope globally, 29% of electric vehicle owners responded that they would consider an internal combustion vehicle as their next vehicle. The biggest reason for these results was problems caused by infrastructure, such as long charging times and insufficient charging stations. In addition, high cost and unsuitable features for long-distance travel were also cited as causes of dissatisfaction.

Only 8% of US owners say they are satisfied with the infrastructure, so distributing charging stations is a global challenge.

For PHEV, contrasting results
Purchase intention increased

If the charging infrastructure issue is not resolved, bigger problems may arise. Regarding these results, McKinsey said, “Owners will become much more reliant on public charging than we are now.” McKinsey also emphasized that efforts should be made to distribute chargers.

On the other hand, 38% of internal combustion engine owners responded that they would consider a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) as their next vehicle. This figure is slightly higher than two years ago, and it is interpreted that the fact that it is relatively free from infrastructure problems, as both refueling and charging are possible, has had a significant impact.