Study reveals electric vehicle drivers travel further than ICE motorists
New research from Nissan has found drivers of electric vehicles are travelling a further 370 miles a year than those with internal combustion engine vehicles.
The study revealed that EV drivers are totalling on average more than 8,800 miles annually, compared to their ICE driver counterparts, who are averaging 8,450 miles.
Nissan says it conducted the research in order to help further understand the driving experiences and perception of motorists and, ahead of World Environment Day on 5th June, the manufacturer adds that these findings present electric mobility and its environmental benefits as a key driver in helping to tackle ecological challenges.
Arnaud Charpentier, region vice president of product strategy and pricing at Nissan AMIEO, commented: “This research reiterates that electric driving is not only a smart option beneficial to the environment but also a fun, exciting and convenient choice for the owners. It is no surprise that people now drive EV further than ICE cars. We are confident that with more electric vehicles on the road dispelling myths, range anxiety will soon be in the past.”
Additional findings from the research saw the majority (69%) of drivers of electric vehicles saying they are happy with the current charging infrastructure available. Almost a quarter (23%1) stated that the most common myth surrounding EV driving is that the current charging infrastructure cannot cope.
In a survey of ICE drivers, almost half (47%) said the main advantage of a petrol or diesel car is greater range autonomy and, when looking into the reasons behind the 30% of ICE drivers who are unlikely to consider a fully electric vehicle, the majority (58%) said the biggest concern is that EVs have low driving range autonomy.
A further exploration into factors that would convince drivers to switch revealed that 38% of ICE drivers believe the biggest pull-factor would be greater range and 32% of ICE drivers would be drawn by ease of charging. In addition, 30% noted that having a better charging infrastructure would persuade them to switch. However, 70% of existing EV drivers stated that their experience of range has been better than they expected.
The survey also uncovered a strong disconnect surrounding charging and infrastructure from EV drivers who currently utilise the facilities, and the impression of ICE drivers yet to use them.
Over half (56%) of ICE drivers who are not considering an electric vehicle believe there are not enough charging points, and 56% think EVs are more expensive to buy than their petrol/diesel equivalent. As well as this, 48% claimed there is not enough public charging infrastructure.
However, over a quarter of EV motorists say that running out of charge (28%), charging time (30%) and EVs being expensive (31%) are amongst the biggest myths of EV driving, implying that charging and infrastructure are sufficiently developed.
