ev-survey

Results of Climate Trends’ EVs survey

Summary

  • fourth-lionDrivers and vehicle owners have heard a ‘great deal’ about electric vehicles (68%), especially in Delhi (81%).
  • Drivers and vehicle owners are ‘very likely’ to consider purchasing an electric vehicle (66%), especially in Delhi (77%).
  • By a wide margin, drivers and vehicle owners say that ‘reducing air pollution’ (87%) is the best reason to purchase an electric vehicle, not because they will ‘never pay for petrol or diesel again’ (12%).
  • Drivers and vehicle owners say that the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle is higher (58%) than the cost of purchasing a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle (32%). This is especially true in Delhi where 73% say the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle is higher and least true in Kolkata where 51% say the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle is higher.
  • Drivers and vehicle owners say that the cost per kilometer to drive an electric vehicle is less than the cost of a petrol or diesel vehicle (53%).
  • Drivers and vehicle owners don’t know whether the annual maintenance and service costs for electric vehicles are higher (44%) or lower (46%) than a petrol or diesel vehicle.
  • Drivers and vehicle owners say that electric vehicles have a longer usable life (68%) than petrol or diesel vehicles (24%).
  • Drivers and vehicle owners say they are ‘much more likely’ to consider purchasing an electric vehicle after learning that ‘electric vehicles reduce air pollution through zero on-road emissions’ (72%) and after learning that ‘recharging and driving an electric vehicle costs less per kilometer than fueling and driving a petrol or diesel vehicle’ (71%).
  • Drivers and vehicle owners are ‘very concerned’ (74%) about the cost of petrol or diesel fuel. The proportion who are ‘very concerned’ is highest in Delhi (79%) and lowest in Hyderabad (69%) and among 18-24 year-olds (67%). The proportion who are ‘very concerned’ is roughly equal among 4-wheel drivers (77%) and 2-wheel drivers (75%).
  • Drivers and vehicle owners are even more concerned about air quality than they are about the cost of petrol or diesel fuel. 81% are ‘very concerned’ about the air they breathe compared with 74% who are ‘very concerned’ about the cost of petrol or diesel fuel. Drivers and vehicle owners in every category (urban, rural, young, middle-aged, 2-wheel, 4-wheel) are more concerned about the air they breathe than they are about the cost of petrol or diesel fuel.
  • Most drivers and vehicle owners are personally affected by poor air quality. 76% say ‘my neighbors, nearby family, friends and I suffer from poor air quality every day’ (39%) or ‘I am slowly starting to feel the effects of poor air quality (37%). In Delhi, 91% say ‘my neighbors, nearby family, friends and I suffer from poor air quality every day’ (60%) or ‘I am slowly starting to feel the effects of poor air quality (31%).
  • The most common symptoms are ‘shortness of breath, trouble breathing’ (55%), headaches (51%) and coughing (51%). These symptoms are more common in Delhi and urban areas and less common among 18-24 year-olds and in rural areas.
  • 75% of drivers and vehicle owners say that the government should set a target that at least 50% of all 2, 3 and 4 wheel vehicles should be electric by 2030.
  • Drivers and owners of 2 wheel vehicles and 4 wheel vehicles agree that the government should prioritize 4 wheel electric vehicles first and 2 wheel electric vehicles second. 83% of all drivers and vehicle owners say that the government should prioritize 4 wheel electric vehicles, 60% say the government should prioritize 2 wheel electric vehicles and 32% say the government should prioritize 3 wheel electric vehicles.
  • The biggest objections to electric vehicles are:
    • Electric vehicles do not have enough charging stations or other infrastructure near where I need it (59%)
    • Electric vehicles do not have enough driving range (46%)
    • Electric vehicles are too new and they haven’t worked out all the problems yet (32%)
    • Electric vehicles take too long to recharge (31%)
    • Electric vehicles aren’t available with all the same features and styles as traditional petrol or diesel vehicles (26%)
    • Electric vehicles are too expensive, especially considering their limited driving range (25%)
    • I don’t know enough about electric vehicles, including cost, performance, safety and maintenance (24%)
    • Electric vehicles cost too much to recharge (17%)
  • 49% of drivers and vehicle owners say they would pay more for an electric vehicle than a petrol or diesel vehicle IF the total cost over the life of the electric vehicle were the same or lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle. 35% say they would pay a premium for an electric vehicle because it’s better for the environment and the air we breathe while 15% are not interested in owning or purchasing an electric vehicle.
  • 59% of drivers and vehicle owners would pay at least 11% more for an electric vehicle than a petrol or diesel vehicle.

 

Results

How much have you seen or heard about electric vehicles? Electric vehicles include cars, buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis, motorcycles or scooters that are plugged in to an electrical charger for energy and run on battery packs.

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Great deal 68% 68% 65% 69% 81% 69% 64% 60% 65% 61% 60% 75% 71% 57% 75% 66%
Fair amount 25% 25% 21% 25% 15% 24% 32% 33% 26% 28% 27% 20% 23% 36% 21% 26%
Not very much 5% 5% 9% 5% 2% 5% 3% 4% 5% 9% 9% 4% 4% 4% 3% 6%
Never seen or heard anything 2% 2% 5% 2% 1% 1% 0% 3% 5% 3% 5% 1% 2% 3% 1% 2%

 

If you were looking to purchase a 2-wheel, 3-wheel or 4-wheel motorized vehicle, how likely would you be to consider purchasing an electric vehicle instead of a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Very likely 66% 66% 66% 68% 77% 67% 67% 62% 65% 60% 56% 71% 72% 58% 72% 65%
Somewhat likely 28% 29% 24% 27% 20% 28% 30% 30% 31% 30% 34% 23% 24% 35% 24% 29%
Not very likely 4% 4% 7% 4% 2% 3% 2% 6% 2% 8% 6% 4% 3% 5% 3% 4%
Not at all likely 2% 2% 3% 2% 1% 2% 0% 2% 2% 3% 4% 2% 1% 1% 0% 2%

 

What do you think is the best reason to purchase an electric vehicle instead of a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Reduce air pollution 87% 88% 80% 87% 92% 90% 84% 86% 78% 87% 83% 88% 88% 89% 89% 86%
Never pay for petrol or diesel again 12% 11% 18% 12% 8% 10% 15% 13% 21% 13% 16% 11% 11% 10% 11% 13%

 

Do you think purchasing an electric vehicle is more or less expensive than purchasing a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Purchasing an electric vehicle is more expensive 58% 58% 62% 60% 73% 61% 58% 51% 56% 59% 52% 63% 60% 56% 64% 54%
Purchasing an electric vehicle is less expensive 32% 33% 28% 32% 24% 29% 36% 37% 37% 31% 33% 32% 33% 32% 31% 37%
Don’t know 10% 9% 10% 8% 3% 9% 6% 12% 7% 9% 15% 5% 7% 11% 6% 9%

 

Do you think the cost per kilometer to drive an electric vehicle is higher or lower than a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Electric vehicle cost per kilometer is higher 38% 36% 49% 40% 55% 36% 33% 27% 36% 43% 29% 45% 43% 25% 42% 29%
Electric vehicle cost per kilometer is lower 53% 56% 40% 53% 41% 53% 62% 61% 53% 48% 54% 50% 50% 66% 53% 62%
Don’t know 9% 8% 11% 8% 4% 11% 5% 12% 11% 8% 17% 5% 7% 9% 5% 9%

 

Do you think that annual maintenance and service costs are higher or lower for an electric vehicle than a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Electric vehicle annual maintenance and service costs are higher 44% 43% 49% 46% 58% 45% 43% 33% 49% 42% 35% 50% 49% 33% 49% 36%
Electric vehicle annual maintenance and service costs are lower 46% 47% 38% 45% 38% 44% 48% 54% 40% 48% 48% 42% 44% 54% 44% 53%
Don’t know 10% 10% 13% 9% 4% 11% 8% 12% 11% 10% 17% 8% 7% 14% 7% 11%

 

Which do you think will have a longer usable life?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Electric vehicle 68% 68% 68% 69% 74% 71% 70% 66% 62% 67% 57% 73% 74% 63% 72% 66%
Traditional petrol or diesel vehicle 24% 24% 24% 24% 21% 23% 25% 22% 30% 26% 34% 21% 19% 25% 22% 26%
Don’t know 8% 8% 8% 8% 4% 6% 6% 12% 9% 7% 9% 6% 7% 13% 6% 8%

 

Compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, electric vehicles reduce air pollution through zero on-road emissions. If you were looking to purchase a motorized vehicle, how would this information affect your decision about purchasing an electric vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Much more likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 72% 72% 69% 73% 80% 75% 70% 73% 72% 69% 62% 75% 78% 66% 77% 71%
Somewhat more likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 23% 23% 23% 22% 18% 20% 27% 21% 23% 23% 28% 21% 19% 30% 20% 24%
Somewhat less likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 3% 3% 4% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 1% 6% 4% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3%
Much less likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 2% 2% 4% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 4% 3% 5% 1% 1% 0% 0% 2%

 

Recharging and driving an electric vehicle costs less per kilometer than fueling and driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. If you were looking to purchase a motorized vehicle, how would this information affect your decision about purchasing an electric vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Much more likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 71% 71% 68% 72% 76% 73% 73% 75% 66% 70% 65% 73% 74% 68% 75% 70%
Somewhat more likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 24% 24% 23% 23% 21% 24% 25% 19% 26% 21% 26% 23% 21% 27% 22% 24%
Somewhat less likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 4% 3% 7% 3% 2% 2% 1% 4% 6% 7% 5% 3% 4% 4% 3% 4%
Much less likely to consider purchasing electric vehicle 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 4% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1%

 

How concerned are you about the cost of petrol or diesel fuel?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Very concerned 74% 75% 67% 74% 79% 73% 71% 76% 71% 69% 67% 77% 76% 75% 77% 75%
Somewhat concerned 21% 20% 24% 21% 19% 24% 25% 20% 20% 23% 24% 19% 19% 22% 20% 21%
Not very concerned 3% 3% 5% 3% 2% 2% 2% 3% 5% 6% 5% 3% 3% 2% 2% 3%
Not at all concerned 2% 2% 4% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 4% 2% 4% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1%

 

How concerned are you about the quality of the air you breathe where you live?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Very concerned 81% 82% 74% 81% 83% 83% 81% 80% 76% 74% 77% 81% 83% 80% 83% 82%
Somewhat concerned 15% 15% 19% 16% 15% 14% 18% 18% 16% 19% 17% 16% 13% 16% 14% 14%
Not very concerned 3% 3% 4% 3% 1% 3% 1% 1% 6% 6% 4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 3%
Not at all concerned 1% 1% 2% 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 2% 2% 3% 0% 1% 0% 0% 1%

 

Which of the following best describes the air quality where you live?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
My neighbors, nearby friends, family and I suffer from poor air quality every day 39% 38% 48% 41% 60% 33% 33% 32% 33% 39% 27% 44% 48% 30% 44% 34%
I am slowly starting to feel the effects of poor air quality 37% 38% 32% 38% 31% 41% 38% 38% 42% 39% 40% 36% 35% 39% 35% 41%
I know people are suffering but I am not affected by poor air quality 15% 16% 11% 14% 6% 18% 16% 20% 18% 16% 20% 12% 12% 20% 13% 16%
Air quality is not a problem where I live 9% 9% 10% 8% 3% 8% 13% 10% 6% 6% 14% 7% 5% 11% 8% 9%

 

If you suffer due to air pollution, what symptoms, if any, do you face? Please select all that apply.

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Shortness of breath, trouble breathing 55% 56% 49% 56% 63% 56% 47% 49% 62% 55% 44% 59% 61% 49% 59% 55%
Headaches 51% 53% 43% 53% 57% 52% 54% 53% 48% 55% 42% 53% 57% 50% 55% 54%
Coughing 51% 52% 44% 53% 53% 58% 55% 47% 57% 55% 45% 49% 53% 59% 54% 54%
Respiratory infections 34% 36% 27% 35% 36% 32% 38% 30% 43% 42% 27% 33% 38% 44% 38% 37%
Nausea 21% 21% 20% 22% 23% 24% 21% 24% 23% 21% 14% 22% 25% 22% 24% 22%
None of the above 11% 11% 12% 10% 6% 13% 12% 13% 6% 7% 16% 10% 8% 11% 9% 10%

 

If the government were to set a target to increase the number of 2, 3 and 4 wheel electric vehicles in India by 2030, what do you think that target should be? Please choose the number closest to the number you feel is ideal.

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
0% – no electric vehicle target 5% 1% 6% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 3% 5% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1%
10% 5% 5% 9% 5% 3% 5% 4% 5% 4% 6% 5% 7% 4% 4% 5% 4%
25% 18% 18% 16% 17% 15% 15% 20% 23% 16% 12% 18% 18% 17% 19% 18% 18%
50% 27% 27% 22% 27% 30% 24% 32% 21% 29% 23% 24% 24% 28% 32% 27% 28%
75% 22% 22% 19% 22% 22% 24% 21% 17% 20% 30% 22% 23% 21% 22% 22% 22%
90% 11% 11% 12% 11% 16% 12% 8% 10% 13% 6% 9% 13% 13% 8% 12% 10%
100% – all 2, 3 and 4 wheel vehicles should be electric by 2030 15% 15% 16% 15% 10% 17% 14% 21% 17% 21% 17% 13% 16% 14% 14% 16%

 

If the government were to support electric vehicles, which of the following do you think the government should focus on most? Please select all that apply.

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
4 wheel vehicles 83% 84% 74% 83% 86% 83% 88% 87% 79% 77% 77% 84% 85% 83% 88% 83%
2 wheel vehicles 60% 62% 51% 60% 47% 63% 68% 61% 73% 73% 59% 60% 60% 60% 59% 71%
3 wheel vehicles 32% 33% 29% 32% 30% 38% 30% 36% 29% 31% 27% 32% 33% 39% 34% 34%
None of the above 1% 1% 4% 1% 2% 1% 0% 1% 1% 3% 3% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1%

 

Did you know that 85% of all motorized vehicle sales in India are from 2 and 3 wheel vehicles?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Yes 78% 77% 84% 79% 85% 74% 74% 71% 86% 86% 71% 80% 82% 76% 81% 77%
No 22% 23% 16% 21% 15% 26% 26% 29% 14% 14% 29% 20% 18% 24% 19% 23%

 

Which of the following do you feel are the best or most important reasons NOT to purchase an electric vehicle? Please select all that apply.

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
Electric vehicles do not have enough charging stations or other infrastructure near where I need it 59% 60% 53% 59% 58% 63% 57% 57% 60% 59% 56% 59% 57% 65% 60% 62%
Electric vehicles do not have enough driving range 46% 46% 49% 46% 57% 40% 40% 46% 42% 43% 43% 49% 45% 47% 47% 46%
Electric vehicles are too new and they haven’t worked out all the problems yet 32% 33% 27% 33% 29% 35% 36% 37% 33% 28% 27% 32% 34% 37% 34% 34%
Electric vehicles take too long to recharge 31% 31% 26% 31% 28% 32% 29% 36% 42% 32% 29% 32% 29% 33% 33% 33%
Electric vehicles aren’t available with all the same features and styles as traditional petrol or diesel vehicles 26% 28% 18% 27% 22% 28% 32% 29% 30% 25% 26% 24% 26% 31% 27% 30%
Electric vehicles are too expensive, especially considering their limited driving range 25% 26% 18% 25% 24% 22% 29% 26% 31% 25% 20% 25% 26% 27% 27% 27%
I don’t know enough about electric vehicles, including cost, performance, safety and maintenance 24% 23% 29% 24% 24% 23% 24% 22% 26% 26% 24% 23% 24% 24% 23% 23%
Electric vehicles cost too much to recharge 17% 17% 16% 18% 18% 15% 20% 18% 26% 16% 14% 17% 20% 15% 19% 18%
None of the above 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 8% 4% 5% 3% 4% 5% 3% 4% 5% 4% 5%

 

Which of the following best describes your willingness to pay more for an electric vehicle than a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle?

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
I would pay more for an electric vehicle if the total cost over the life of the vehicle were the same or lower than a traditional petrol or diesel-fueled vehicle 49% 49% 50% 49% 43% 48% 52% 53% 53% 46% 48% 48% 50% 52% 49% 51%
I would pay a premium for an electric vehicle above and beyond the amount I would save on petrol or diesel because it’s better for the environment and the air we breathe 35% 37% 24% 35% 34% 41% 38% 35% 33% 37% 31% 33% 38% 37% 36% 36%
I am not interested in owning or purchasing an electric vehicle 15% 14% 25% 15% 22% 11% 9% 11% 14% 16% 20% 18% 12% 10% 15% 12%

 

How much more would you be willing to pay for an electric vehicle? Please select the number that is closest to the amount you would be willing to pay.

  All Urban/Rural 26 Most Polluted Cities Cities Age Own or Drive
Urban Rural Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Kolkata Chennai Hyderabad 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+ 4 Wheel 2 Wheel
0% – I would not pay more for an electric vehicle than I would pay for a petrol or diesel vehicle 12% 10% 21% 11% 12% 10% 7% 7% 6% 12% 14% 14% 9% 10% 10% 9%
I would pay 1-10% more for an electric vehicle than I would pay for a petrol or diesel vehicle 30% 30% 30% 29% 29% 28% 32% 30% 23% 29% 28% 29% 30% 31% 28% 31%
I would pay 11-20% more for an electric vehicle than I would pay for a petrol or diesel vehicle 26% 28% 16% 26% 26% 22% 33% 30% 30% 21% 25% 26% 26% 27% 27% 27%
I would pay 21-30% more for an electric vehicle than I would pay for a petrol or diesel vehicle 21% 21% 20% 22% 21% 28% 18% 23% 22% 25% 20% 20% 23% 22% 23% 22%
I would pay more than 30% more for an electric vehicle than I would pay for a petrol/diesel vehicle 12% 12% 13% 12% 12% 12% 10% 10% 19% 14% 13% 11% 13% 10% 12% 12%

 

Methodology

   
Sample size n=2,178
Margin of error +/- 2.1 percentage points
Survey dates Aug 21-24, 2018
Urban/rural City, urban or semi-urban 85% / rural 15%
Sex Men 69% / Women 31%
Age 18-24 23% / 25-29 28% / 30-39 34% / 40+ 14%
State Delhi 23% / Maharashtra 17% / Karnataka 11% / West Bengal 8% / Tamil Nadu 7% / Telangana 4% / Gujarat 4% / Andhra Pradesh 3% / Uttar Pradesh 3% / Kerala 2% / Haryana 2% / Chandigarh 2% / Rajasthan 2% / Bihar 1% / Madhya Pradesh 1% / Punjab 1% / Odisha 1% / Assam 1% / Jharkhand 1% / Jammu & Kashmir 1% / Himachal Pradesh 1% / Chhattisgarh 1% / Other 4%
Annual income Under 6 lakhs 36% / 6-9 lakhs 28% / 10-19 lakhs 25% / 20+ lakhs 11%

 

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