mar, Mai 14th 2024
Swiss enthusiasm for electric vehicles wanes, with growth in electric car registrations and ownership slowing markedly.
Switzerland’s interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is showing signs of decline, as recent data suggests a slowdown in the growth of electric car registrations and ownership. A comprehensive analysis by “bonus.ch”, a prominent comparison portal, reveals that the electrification of Swiss mobility may be hitting a plateau.
The figures provided by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) illustrate a deceleration in the uptake of fully electric passenger cars. While there was a notable increase from 13% of new registrations in 2021 to 18% in 2022, growth in 2023 was more modest, rising only to 21%. This trend is echoed in the annual surveys conducted by “bonus.ch” among approximately 3,000 car insurance customers. From 2021 to 2024, the percentage of respondents who own an electric car grew from 3% to only 8%, with minimal increase in the last year.
Public interest in purchasing electric vehicles appears to be waning. In the latest survey, a significant 74% of participants expressed no current interest in buying an electric car, with a higher disinterest among women (78%) compared to men (71%). Several factors contribute to this reluctance. Notably, 27% of respondents see no advantages in rechargeable cars, 29% are concerned about the environmental impact of producing batteries, and others cite high purchase costs (21%), insufficient range (20%), and a lack of charging stations (16%).
Further dampening the demand, “bonus.ch” points out recent policy changes such as the abolition of tax exemptions and the reduction or elimination of direct subsidies for electric car purchases in various cantons at the start of 2024. Additionally, rising electricity prices are making the economics of electric vehicles less attractive.
Despite these challenges, 18% of survey participants still consider purchasing an electric car, primarily motivated by the potential positive impact on their ecological footprint, a decrease from 24% two years earlier.
This comprehensive analysis underscores a critical juncture for the future of electric mobility in Switzerland, suggesting that both consumer perceptions and economic incentives will play pivotal roles in shaping the path forward.
©Keystone/SDA
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