Almost half of Irish motorists are put off buying an electric of hybrid vehicle because they believe there is insufficient charging infrastructure in the country, and a third (35%) believe they are only suitable for short distances and city driving.
"Range anxiety" was second to expense, however, according to research from Liberty Insurance and RED C, with seven in 10 motorists surveyed not considering EVs because they believe they are too expensive.
Despite the widespread criticism, the number of new electric vehicles on Irish roads rose 40% year-on-year in January, with 15% of all vehicles licensed for the first time in January being electric.
The government has announced plans to install charging points at 60km intervals across the motorway network as part of a €100m investment over the next three years.
"Whilst this is obviously a really encouraging development, it is important that news of this investment is reaching Irish motorists before they begin researching their next car purchase," said Máiréad Carty, head of motor product in Ireland at Liberty.
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Other fears about electric vehicles offered by respondents include worries about residential electricity bills if motorists were to charge their EV at home (31%), and a quarter (25%) said they simply don't know enough about them to consider purchasing one.
Overall, nearly half (49%) of motorists would consider buying a full electric or hybrid card, but 32% would not be prepared to consider an electric car, and 19% didn't know.
The survey asked motorists why they are considering purchasing a new car this year. According to respondents, the two most prominent reasons are a desire to drive a more sustainable vehicle (24%) and cheaper running costs (24%).
We know that there is a clear desire on behalf of Irish motorists to drive more environmentally sustainable vehicles," said Carty.
"It is important that we continue to encourage and incentivise this behaviour. However, the research suggests concerns remain in relation to the practical limitations of electric vehicles, particularly specific to range anxiety and the prevalence of charging points on Irish roads."
"In the coming months, we expect the trend toward electric cars to gather further momentum," she added.
Research carried out by Kantar for Liberty in Spain and Portugal, where the insurer also operates, show small majorities would consider purchasing an electric vehicle (56% in Spain; 55% in Portugal), although the consumer cohort who ‘don’t know’ is considerably higher than in Ireland.
Fears about making the switch to electric vehicles are slightly less pronounced in both countries than in Ireland. The cost of electronic vehicles is cited as a concern for 54% of Spaniards and 65% of Portuguese, versus 70% of Irish respondents.
Just 36% of Spanish motorists and 25% of Portuguese drivers are discouraged by worries about their country’s charging infrastructure, compared to nearly half of Irish motorists (49%).
The Irish survey was conducted among a nationally representative survey of 488 people car and/or home insurance owners in November and December. The surveys in Spain (800 adults) and Portugal (500 adults) were carried out simultaneously.
(Pic: Getty Images)
