Around one in three electric vehicle drivers here say the 21st century phenomenon of ‘range anxiety’ is their biggest concern since purchasing their car.
Range anxiety is defined as “worry on the part of a person driving an electric car that the battery will run out of power before the destination or a suitable charging point is reached”.
A further 18% said the lack of charging infrastructure in Ireland was their primary concern since they made their purchase, according to a survey of EV drivers conducted by the car website, DoneDeal.
Together, that amounts to around half of all EV drivers who cited issues around charging or maintaining charge as their top concern regarding their car.
One in five drivers cited depreciation in the value of electric vehicles as their biggest concern.
Prices of new EV models have been declining which in turn has an impact on second hand values.
70% of new EV drivers say they plan to buy another EV as their next car purchase, which leaves a sizeable 30% who are uncertain or plan to move back to a hybrid or an internal combustion engine (ICE) car when they buy their next car.
90% of EV drivers surveyed said their running costs were cheaper than their previous petrol or diesel powered car.
That is up from 85% who expressed that view in November of last year.
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Electricity costs have fallen in recent months with more reductions to come in the weeks ahead following a recent round of price cut announcements from most providers in the domestic electricity market.
Petrol and diesel prices also rose in February following four months in a row of decreases, a recent analysis by the AA showed.
A survey by DoneDeal at the start of the year found that demand for new electric vehicles was up 62% compared to the same time the year before.
Demand for second hand (one to four years old) models was up 70%.
The Volkswagen ID.4 has retained its position as the most popular new car on DoneDeal, continuing a trend seen in 2023.
There is growing diversity of EV offerings in the market with entry price points that are becoming more affordable to a wider range of motorists.