Survey: Cost and range worries slow Germany's shift to electric cars

German drivers are holding back from buying electric cars on cost, range and charger availability grounds, according to a new survey conducted for the ZVEI electrical and digital sector association published.

The Civey survey found 63.9% saw the cars as too expensive, while 51% pointed to the shortage of charge points, and a similar proportion to limited driving range.

For the survey conducted between December 18 and January 1, Civey polled 3,500 people from the overall population and 2,800 drivers.

The ZVEI concluded that perceptions were widely divorced from reality. It noted that 71% of electric car drivers were happy with the charging infrastructure. This compared with just 30% of combustion vehicle users being happy with refuelling options.

And Azar Motale, speaking for the ZVEI, said the range concerns were not justified. "No one needs to worry about coming to a halt," he said. He blamed uncertainty caused by political and ideological debate for the reluctance to switch.

The ZVEI nevertheless sees a need for increased charging options in cities, both public and in multi-family blocks.

And it said that charging an electric car should not be more expensive than filling up at a fuel station, although this was often the case. The ZVEI noted that Germany had the highest electricity and charging rates in Europe.

The German government has been subsidizing the purchase of electric and hybrid cars to between €1,500 ($1,800) and €6,000 since the start of the year.