As electric mobility is a recurring topic in current political campaigns in France, from past European to upcoming legislative elections, some parties are planning to reverse course, clearly dividing opinions. The electric car, still in its early stages, is already slowing down. Just like some car manufacturers seem to be backpedaling on their initial goals for zero-emission vehicles, it appears that owners who have already made the switch are not as convinced as one might think. A new study by McKinsey & Company has revealed that many "electric motorists" are already considering going back to gasoline for their next purchase.
A real global trend
If the usual tune usually speaks of owners attracted by the silence of operation or the instant performance offered by their battery-powered car to the point that they would never go back to a piston engine, McKinsey’s new study shows that nearly a third – 29%, to be precise – of people who have already succumbed to the allure of watts are very likely to switch back to gasoline for their next purchase.
This figure is all the more significant as the study, which involved 30,000 participants in 15 countries representing 80% of global car sales, shows a true underlying trend, especially in some countries like the United States, where almost half of electric vehicle owners, 46%, are considering a switch back.
Reasons for the U-turn
What are the reasons pushing these motorists to reconsider their choice of driving electric? The first reason would be the state of the infrastructure. Indeed, only 9% of respondents believe that the number of public charging stations is sufficient. This is only about the number of charging points, not even their unreliable reliability. Another factor working against electric vehicles is range. The study’s results contradict the usual arguments made by electric vehicle enthusiasts.
They argue that as time passes, one gets used to the vehicle’s range and its usage becomes simpler. While this argument is undeniable, consumers’ expectations continue to rise. From a desired minimum range of 435 km in 2022, the average has risen to 469 km in 2024. Additionally, economic reasons are also cited, with increasing purchase prices and insurance costs.
Electrified rather than electric
Nevertheless, electric vehicles still attract interest, with 18% of respondents stating that their next vehicle will be electric, up from 16% in 2022 and 14% in 2021. The study also shows that 21% of respondents adamantly refuse to switch to an electric vehicle for their next purchase, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be electrified. With 38% of non-electric vehicle owners worldwide considering a switch to hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles, the trend remains stable (+1%) compared to 2022.