Charging anxiety tops concerns for Indian EV owners

Park+ has released a report based on a recent survey of 500 electric vehicle (EV) owners in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), nearly 91,000 electric passenger vehicles were sold in India during the Financial Year 2023-24.

Key findings from the survey reveal that 88 percent of EV owners cited charging anxiety as their primary concern, even more than range anxiety. This worry led many drivers to limit their travel to short intercity trips under 50 km. Additionally, 73 percent of respondents pointed to maintenance costs as a major issue. They noted the difficulty in finding local mechanics who can repair EVs and the challenge of obtaining second opinions on repair costs.

A substantial fall in resale value troubled 33 percent of respondents. The developing resale market for EVs lacks standardized tests to evaluate battery quality, which makes up 30 percent of an EV’s value. This uncertainty in assessing their true worth contrasts with the straightforward valuation of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles based on age and mileage.

Overall, EV owners reported lower satisfaction compared to ICE vehicle owners, citing everyday hassles. Notably, 51 percent of those surveyed expressed a preference for returning to ICE vehicles for their next purchase.

The Tata Nexon EV emerged as the most popular choice among current EV owners, with 61 percent favoring it, followed by the Punch EV at 19 percent. BYD also attracted attention, but respondents noted its higher pricing and limited test drive availability as drawbacks.

In summary, the survey highlights key concerns for EV owners in India, including charging anxiety, maintenance challenges, and resale value issues, influencing their overall satisfaction and future purchasing decisions.