Purchase motives of the commercial users of electric vehicles in Germany and learnings for the effectiveness of policy measures

Kurzfassung

The aim of reducing environmental pollution defined by various political instances all over Europe will probably rather be intensified in future. Electric mobility represents an opportunity to manage these different interests and the aim of reducing environmental pollution. In order to reach a mass of electric vehicle in urban areas it is important to analyze the early adopters, especially the commercial. Research relating (potential) commercial users of EVs is still infrequent. But commercial actors in urban areas provide options to electrify their trips: travel short distances with homogenous daily trip patterns. Therefore, the Institute of Transport Research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) conducted a survey of German electric vehicle users. The sample contains 63 % private and 37 % commercial users (n=1,165). Based on this survey the contribution first portrays the characteristics of the commercial users of electric vehicles in Germany. The following analysis focuses on purchase motives. Additional insights will be given by a description of restriction in the usability of electric vehicles. The results will point out learnings for the effectiveness of policy measures. The analysis shows that electric vehicle purchase by German commercial users is primarily motivated by soft aspects (interest in innovative vehicle technology and a targeted reduction of environmental impact). Monetary or economic motives were less important. Current policy measures primarily address economic aspects. The survey shows privileges such as free parking, tax exemption are of lower interest for purchasing EVs.