An overwhelming majority of drivers say in a new survey that they would rather wait to buy an electric car. The technology is simply too uncertain.
A new study, DAT Report 2025, shows that 77 percent of drivers prefer to wait to buy an electric car. The study reveals a number of factors contributing to this hesitation, including concerns about price, technology and infrastructure.
The results show that 77 percent of drivers surveyed would like to wait and see before investing in an electric car. A major reason for this hesitation is a lack of experience with electric cars.
The survey shows that 74 percent of those surveyed never have a card in an electric car. Which the people behind the annual DAT report can explain some of the widespread skepticism.
Drivers who have tried driving an electric car are more positive about the technology. Almost half of this group (48 percent) believe that electric cars are suitable for everyday use. And 49 percent see them as the mode of transport of the future.
Despite the increased interest, there are still concerns about the price of electric cars. 76 percent of drivers surveyed who have experience with electric cars believe they are too expensive.
In addition, there is uncertainty about the lifespan and durability of the batteries. 70 percent of drivers consider the batteries in electric cars to be unsafe. And 61 percent believe that the technology is not yet mature.
However, the study also shows that attitudes towards electric cars are changing. In 2024, 80 percent of drivers considered the battery to be an uncertainty factor, while in 2025 this figure has dropped to 77 percent.
The study also reveals that there is limited knowledge about battery life. 58 percent of drivers believe that combustion engines last longer than electric cars. Repeated studies have shown that electric cars are getting better. But in some areas they still lag behind, especially diesel cars. Read more about it here .
Many drivers respond in the German survey that they are considering buying an electric car, but that they hesitate due to concerns about range, infrastructure and charging time.
Drivers who choose an electric car often do so for environmental reasons or because they are interested in "new technology". But the electric car is not a new invention. In fact, Skoda's first electric car was a beer truck from the 1930s. So that explanation is not viable and never has been.
The study suggests that it is primarily the so-called "first movers" who are open to new technology who are driving the sales of electric cars.
