Electric Vehicle purchasing habits in the GCC
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Insights from YallaMotor's Electric Vehicle Survey in the GCC
The automotive industry, much like the technology industry, is one that continually undergoes changes. The most significant transformation in the past few years has been in the direction of clean mobility, with hybrid and full-electric vehicles from various manufacturers attempting to solve the industry’s woes. YallaMotor, the region’s largest automotive portal, conducted the first-of-its-kind survey with over 3,700 applicants to better understand Electric Vehicle buyers, their opinions, perceptions, and purchasing intentions across the GCC region.
Survey Findings
Considering Electric Vehicles are a relatively new concept across the globe and even more so in the region, it isn’t surprising to discover that 77% of respondents have never driven an electric car. This number is partially offset by:
- 14% of respondents claiming to have driven a hybrid vehicle (petrol + electric).
- 9% confirming they have driven a full-electric car.
With mainstream manufacturers such as Audi, Jaguar, and Porsche entering this segment soon, these numbers are set to increase in the coming years.
Perceived Advantages of Electric Vehicles
When questioned about the perceived advantages of owning an Electric Vehicle, 51% of survey participants identified 'better fuel economy' as the main advantage. The second advantage, with 49% of respondents, was 'reduced carbon emissions', aligning with the eco-credentials of Electric Vehicles. Most concerning, however, is that 25% of respondents claimed they do not know enough about Electric Mobility to comment on its advantages, leaving ample room for manufacturers and suppliers to educate potential buyers across the region.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SURVEY INFOGRAPHIC
Range Anxiety and Charging Concerns
With range anxiety being a key concern for potential Electric Vehicle buyers, 31% of respondents (the largest majority) claimed that an EV would have to deliver between 300 to 500 kms on a single charge for them to consider investing in one. While slightly older EVs such as the Renault Zoe just about make the cut, newer EVs from manufacturers such as Chevrolet and Tesla offer close to 500kms per charge, positioning them well in line with the requirements of potential buyers.
While on the topic of range anxiety and the battery, a whopping 50% of those who participated in the survey also claimed that an Electric Vehicle would have to completely charge in under 2 hours for them to consider buying one. Judging by the current infrastructure, this could possibly be the biggest hindrance in accelerating the adoption of EVs across the region, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as several stakeholders are experimenting to reduce charging times to as long as one would traditionally spend filling petrol at a gas station.
Women and Electric Vehicle Ownership
Finally, in line with the empowerment of women across the region, a surprising 47% of women voted in favor of owning an Electric Vehicle as their primary vehicle. This differs from the finding that while men are willing to invest in an Electric Vehicle, they would not use it as their primary vehicle.
