PRESS RELEASE

ENECHANGE conducts survey of EV users　While 90% of respondents were highly satisfied with their choice of EV, they also felt that the charging infrastructure environment was a challenge

ENECHANGE Ltd. has conducted a survey on the use of EVs and EV charging among EV users. The survey results reveal the current situation and future issues related to EVs in Japan.

 

Research background

The imminent nature of global warming has accelerated the global trend towards decarbonization and the aim to reach net zero emissions. In Japan, to help realize a decarbonized society, various initiatives are being taken to promote EVs and expand EV charging infrastructure, with car manufacturers announcing new EV models and the government and local authorities providing subsidies and grants for the development of EV charging infrastructure.

On the other hand, although the EV penetration rate has risen to 3.7% (*1) of all passenger cars, there is a lack of data on the actual situation surrounding EVs. ENECHANGE asked EV users to complete a survey via the EVsmart blog and associated social media accounts, a platform which disseminates EV information, and received responses from 383 EV users. The survey explored the current situation regarding EVs and EV charging infrastructure in Japan and revealed the challenges facing EV charging infrastructure.

*1 Ratio of EVs/PHVs in new vehicle sales in May 2023 (calculated by ENECHANGE based on the Japan Automobile Dealers Association’s ‘Passenger car sales by fuel type’ and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association’s ‘New vehicle sales by street name of light four-wheeled vehicles’ report).

Survey outline and Summary of survey results

《Survey outline》
Survey target: EV/PHEV users
Survey method: Internet
Survey period: 16-21 May 2023
Number of questionnaires collected: 395 (including 383 EV users)

 

Summary of survey results

  1. Once you’ve experienced it, you’re hooked on EVs
    About 90% of EV users would like to buy an EV again
  2. 91.7% of EV users living in housing complexes do not have charging facilities at home
     Despite users’ high satisfaction with EVs, the need for charging facilities is not widely understood

 Once you’ve experienced it, you’re hooked on EVs
About 90% of EV users would like to buy an EV again

Around 90% of all EV users said they would choose an EV next time they replace their car.

What type of vehicle would you buy to replace your current EV? ‘EV’ 86.7%, ‘PHEV’ 15.4%, ‘don’t know’ 4.7%, ‘petrol car’ 3.7%, ‘not buying a car’ 0.5%.

Of this, 36.2% said it was because they had fun driving/liked the comfort/ease of handling, 26.3% said they would never go back to a petrol car, and 14.2% said they enjoyed the low maintenance costs. Specifically, respondents rated EVs because of their high satisfaction with the ease of handing and low running costs, such as ‘I feel smooth acceleration and a comfortable ride’, ‘I won’t  consider other options but EVs unless they are very attractive’ and ‘I feel the economic and functional benefits of EVs’.  In addition, 9.9% of respondents also said that they could charge their EV at home, suggesting that the ability to charge at home without having to go to a petrol station is considered attractive.

Why would you consider buying another EV? ‘Driving pleasure, comfort and ease of handling’ 36.2%, ‘Would never go back to a petrol car’ 26.3%, ‘Low maintenance costs’ 14.2%, ‘Charging at home’ 9.9%, ‘No exhaust fumes’ 3.5% ‘EV-related campaigns are good value for money’ 0.5%, ‘other’ 9.4%

 

On the other hand, the results also show that all EV users who gave the reason ‘I can charge at home’ were EV users living in detached houses. This shows that users who already have charging facilities at home realise the convenience of this, but does not reflect the voices of EV drivers who live in apartment complexes.

 91.7% of EV users living in housing complexes do not have charging facilities at home
Despite users’ high satisfaction with EVs, the need for charging facilities is not widely understood

More than 70% of the respondents in the survey lived in a detached house, while 25% said they lived in an apartment complex. Around 91.7% of those living in housing complexes said that they do not have EV charging facilities at home, indicating that many users in housing complexes are unable to charge their EVs at home.

Of those who indicated that they live in an apartment complexes, What is your current charging environment at home? ‘No EV charging facilities 91.7%, ‘Shared EV charging facilities available to residents’ 4.2%, ‘Have own EV charging facilities’ 4.2%

When EV users living in apartment complexes were asked whether they had ever lobbied for the introduction of EV charging facilities, around 34% said they had. While almost all of the EV users do not have private charging facilities, we found that few EV users have made moves to introduce them.

To install EV charging facilities in the housing complexes in which they reside, Have you ever lobbied for the installation of EV charging facilities in the housing complex where you live? ‘YES’ 34%, ‘NO’ 66%

Of the EV users who said they had lobbied for EV charging facilities in the past, around 40% cited ‘lack of understanding of EVs’ as a challenge to installing EV charging ports in housing complexes. As a result of actual approaches, it appears that the current situation is that basic charging facilities are not in place due to reasons including ‘approval could not be obtained from the management company’, ‘Turned away at the door’, or ‘not enough EV users to gain their understanding’. Especially for housing complexes, in addition to financial support such as subsidies, it is necessary to spread understanding of what EVs and EV charging facilities are.

For respondents who indicated that they have lobbied, What challenges did you face in promoting the story? ‘Lack of understanding of EVs’ 39.3%, ‘Few EV users. 28.4%, ‘Expensive to install and maintain’ 17.9%, ‘Require a lot of manpower and workload’ 7.1%, ‘other’ 7.1%.

Outlook

The results of the survey highlighted that the reason for the lack of EV charging facilities is that understanding of EVs is not widespread, especially in housing complexes, from management companies and residents who do not own EVs. On the other hand, given that around 90% of EV users said they would like to buy an EV again, the number of EV buyers will continue to increase, and the possibility of achieving the decarbonized society that the government has set as a target of 100% new electric vehicle sales by 2030 is increasing. In preparation for the coming period of full-fledged EV adoption, there is a need to spread understanding of EVs and EV charging facilities, and to develop EV charging infrastructure as soon as possible.

ENECHANGE EV Charge

ENECHANGE EV Charge is an all-in-one service that allows installation of charging facilities for electric vehicles at commercial facilities, lodging facilities, and other destination locations, as well as condominiums, with minimal installation and operation costs starting at 0 yen per month. It currently has the highest number* of installed EV charging ports in Japan. ENECHANGE EV Charge also offers a full range of services for EV drivers. In addition to searching for charging spots, anyone can use the charging ports at any time, with an appealing pay-as-you-go system without monthly fees. ENECHANGE EV Charge charging ports are now also compatible with e-Mobility Power-linked charging cards issued by various automotive OEMs, further increasing convenience.

URL: https://ev-charge.enechange.jp/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/enechange_ev

*Based on number of installed EV charging ports (6kW) by a secure app-based service provider (as of May 2023, according to GoGoEV).

 ENECHANGE Ltd.

ENECHANGE is an energy technology company that promotes a carbon-free society through digital technology with the mission of Changing Energy For A Better World. We offer services based on data utilization in the field of the 4Ds of Energy: Deregulation, Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Decentralization. Our company’s roots come from an energy data lab at the University of Cambridge, U.K., a country where liberalization is mature. ENECHANGE has a British subsidiary, SMAP Energy Limited, as well as a global network and analytical technology for energy data.

URL: https://enechange.co.jp/en/

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ENECHANGE Ltd.
pr@enechange.co.jp