Over the past six years, the percentage of individuals who expressed interest in buying an electrified vehicle has surged from 12% to 42.4%. The Barometer is the only cyclical public opinion survey that provides insights into the significant changes in Poles’ awareness and purchasing preferences related to green transport since 2017.
The “New Mobility Barometer 2022/23” is the 6th edition of PSPA’s cyclical study, which provides insights from a public opinion survey on e-mobility, including information about the purchasing potential of Poles in terms of electric vehicles and their preferences related to charging infrastructure. The Barometer is based on responses from a representative group of Polish drivers who are actively considering purchasing a new vehicle within the next three years.
The Power of Generation
Unlike previous editions of the “New Mobility Barometer”, this year’s survey divided respondents by age. Respondents were grouped into four generational categories: Generation Z (1996 – 2004) – individuals aged between 18 and 26, Millennials (1980 – 1995) – individuals aged between 27 and 42, Generation X (1965 – 1979) – individuals aged between 43 and 57, and Baby Boomers (1947 – 1964) – individuals aged between 58 and 75. Electric propulsion proved to be the most frequently indicated choice by Millenials (48.6%). It is similarly popular among Generation Z (46%). In contrast, representatives of Generation X (41.2%) and Baby Boomers (41.2%) showed a lower interest in e-mobility.
Getting closer to e-mobility
The latest edition of the “Barometer” reveals that the interest in electrified vehicles among Poles increased again in 2022. In 2017, only 12% of respondents stated that they would choose a vehicle with an electric drive as their next car. However, in 2020, this percentage rose to 29.4%, and as of now, 42.4% of respondents expressed readiness to switch to an electrified vehicle. This represents a remarkable 30% increase in just six years. Battery-electric (BEV) vehicles saw an increase from 7.2% in 2020 to 15% in 2022.
Inflation affects prices
Poles are primarily guided by pragmatism when choosing a vehicle. As recently as 2017, 72.3% of respondents cited high cost as the primary obstacle to purchasing an electric vehicle. However, six years later, this percentage has dropped to 33.3%. Inflation is now a significant concern for potential customers. One of the most frequently cited reasons for choosing a non-electric vehicle is the fear of an increase in the price of energy, which could translate into a lack of expected operational savings (indicated by 19.2% of Millenials). Respondents also pointed to the slow expansion of public charging infrastructure in this context (indicated by 23.3% of Generation X respondents).
Used electric vehicles increasingly popular
In the 6th edition of the “New Mobility Barometer”, respondents were also asked about used electric vehicles. With regard to the possibility of purchasing an EV from the second-hand market, 48.8% of respondents gave a positive answer. In contrast, only 13.8% of respondents rated the availability of used EVs as good. 56.4% have no opinion on this matter.
Charging from an application
As the Polish e-mobility market continues to develop, a trend has emerged showing a change in payment preferences for charging depending on generation groups. Baby Boomers still prefer transactions by card. 63.4% of respondents chose this method of payment. Representatives of Generation X (71.3%) and Millennials (48.9%) share a similar preference. On the other hand, Generation Z has a completely different approach, with 69.1% of them preferring to pay for charging through an app linked to a card.
E-mobility awareness
The findings of the “New Mobility Barometer 2022/23 survey” suggest that there is a growing awareness of e-mobility in Poland. Only 39.8% of survey participants reported having little to no knowledge of the e-mobility sector, marking a 44.2% decrease from the 84% of respondents who expressed ignorance in 2019. The lack of understanding surrounding e-mobility remains a concern for many Baby Boomers, with 53.2% stating that their knowledge on the topic is poor. Similarly, 43.3% of Generation X respondents rated their knowledge as poor, while only 28.8% of Millennials fell into this category.
About the survey
The “New Mobility Barometer 2022/23” survey was conducted in November 2022 on a group of over 1,515 respondents using online interviews by the SW RESEARCH agency. The strategic partner for the New Mobility Barometer 2022/23 is OTOMOTO. SW RESEARCH serves as the expert partner.
