Electric Vehicles - Environmental, Economic and Practical Aspects: As Seen by Current and Potential Users

Electric propulsion is much more energy-efficient than internal combustion engine based propulsion (ICEs), and electric vehicles (EVs) emit neither local pollutants nor greenhouse gases. Norwegian authorities have introduced a number of incentives for EV diffusion, in order to support a transition to environmentally friendly transport. A survey among 1,721 EV owners shows that they experience few disadvantages and that the number of EV-only households is growing. EVs are mostly used for daily travel, especially to work, and the number of km driven annually by EVs is similar to that of the average car. The majority does not change their travel pattern when buying EVs and most EVs replace an ICE car. When an EV is acquired as an additional vehicle, some respondents increase their driving. Many EV owners are active people with high incomes living in large households in or around cities, and thus similar to other multicar owners. They value the economy of electric motoring, the environmental benefits, and most importantly; that EVs meet their transport needs. Almost all EV owners plan to continue buying EVs. Media and social networks seem to be the most important channels for the spread of knowledge of EVs. A parallel survey of 2,241 owners of ICE cars finds a growing interest in electric motoring, with one third of the respondents considering buying an EV. With the continuation of current incentives the market share of EVs will probably continue to increase.