ADAC survey: Funding freeze has little impact on car purchase plans for electric vehicles

Despite the discontinuation of government subsidies, the willingness to acquire an electric car in the medium term has not decreased. At the same time, leasing remains a popular form of financing. This is shown by the latest survey* by ADAC SE, in which more than 3000 people were surveyed about the ownership, acquisition, and financing of privately used electric cars in February and March 2024.

The discontinuation of the government environmental bonus has no impact on the fundamental interest in an electric vehicle, according to the survey: 22 percent of those who want to buy a new car privately in the next three years are opting for an electric vehicle. This means the share for fully electric vehicles remains at the previous year's level. The share for hybrid and combustion engine vehicles also changes only slightly compared to the 2023 survey.

Current electric car drivers remain loyal to electric vehicles

Owners of electric cars who plan to buy a new one in the next three years mostly want to stay with electric propulsion, according to the survey. 79 percent of current electric car drivers want to choose an electric car again, and 10 percent each plan to switch from an electric car to a combustion engine or hybrid vehicle. "The loyalty among those who are already driving an electric car is high," explains Markus Groiß, Managing Director of Car Rentals and Financial Services at ADAC. "This is also due, in our assessment, to the fact that they have already aligned their cost calculations and infrastructure to the electric mobility system."

System Electromobility: Wallbox and PV System Considered

The current survey also confirms that an electric car is planned in conjunction with the necessary charging and power infrastructure: 80 percent of respondents who already drive an electric car privately today also have a wallbox at home, with another eight percent having an installation option. Around 70 percent of those who want to purchase an electric car and do not yet have a wallbox plan to install a home charging station within the next three years.

The integrated approach to mobility and energy supply is also evident when it comes to photovoltaics: 42 percent of electric car owners surveyed already have a PV system. Additionally, among those planning to purchase an electric car in the next three years, 24 percent already have a PV system. "Emission-free power generation and electromobility go hand in hand. The investment costs for a vehicle, photovoltaic system, and wallbox pay off faster the more one uses their own electricity," says Sascha Coccorullo, Head of Strategy, New Business and Research at ADAC SE.