EV sales are down over 14 per cent on last year despite an overall increase in new car sales. Similar falls have been witnessed in other western markets lately.
From recent surveys, the biggest issues are about battery life and range. Price is also a consideration, although the latest AA Ireland survey of 1,000 of its customers indicates only 11 per cent of motorists cite “running costs” as their primary concern when buying their next car. That compares with 34 per cent who say that battery life is their biggest concern about EVs.
The AA survey found 53 per cent of respondents believed that EV batteries last less than 100,000 kilometres. That equates to six years’ motoring for the average Irish driver. Understandably, buyers are concerned that the new EV they might buy for €40,000 or more – the biggest cost of new EVs being the battery packs – will only have a working life of six years before they face a massive battery replacement bill.
That’s why the vast majority of car makers have chosen to focus on EVs as they move away from normal petrol or diesel combustion engines.The Government’s primary target in EV adoption is to hit climate goals, but this is not striking a chord with the public: half the respondents to the AA Ireland survey don’t agree that EVs are better for the environment.