ENECHANGE Ltd. conducted a survey among domestic EV users and found that home charging environments significantly impact user satisfaction with charging. Based on these survey results, ENECHANGE is implementing specific improvement measures to enhance the charging experience for EV users.

 

Background of the Survey

To understand the current state of EVs and EV charging infrastructure in Japan, and to meet user needs, ENECHANGE routinely conducts surveys targeting EV users. In the survey conducted in March 2024, responses were collected from 2,833 EV and PHEV users.

《Survey outline》

Title: Survey on EVs and EV Charging
Survey target: EV/PHEV users
Survey method: Internet questionnaire form
Survey period: 5-20 March 2024
Number of results collected: 2,833

《Summary of survey results》

1. The top reasons for purchasing EVs are economic – “Low running costs” and “subsidies and tax incentives” were among the most common reasons.
2. A key satisfaction point for EV owners after purchase is the “comfort of driving.”
3. Dissatisfaction with EVs varies depending on whether there is a charging facility at home. The top three complaints from those without home charging ports relate to “dissatisfaction with charging.”

1. The top reasons for purchasing EVs are economic – “Low running costs” and “subsidies and tax incentives” were among the most common reasons.

The top reasons for purchasing EVs and PHEVs were “low running costs (59.97%)” and “receiving subsidies and tax incentives (51.71%)”, highlighting the economic benefits and government subsidy schemes as significant factors encouraging purchases.

2. A key satisfaction point for EV owners after purchase is the “comfort of driving.”

In response to the question “How satisfied are you with the EV or PHEV you currently own?”, 45.7% answered “very satisfied” and 44.2% said “somewhat satisfied,” resulting in approximately 90% expressing satisfaction. The top reasons for their satisfaction were “comfort of driving (70.24%)”, “low running costs (59.90%)”, and “enjoyment of driving (47.02%)”. It is evident that many find the driving experience of EVs appealing post-purchase.

3. Dissatisfaction with EVs varies depending on whether there is a basic charging facility;
the top three complaints from those without home charging ports are related to “dissatisfaction with charging.”

When asked “What are your points of dissatisfaction with EVs and PHEVs?”, clear differences emerged between those who have home charging ports and those who do not. The top responses from those with home chargers were “high purchase price (58.12%)”, “limited range (56.55%)”, and “insufficient charging spots (56.20%)”, indicating that function, performance, and a lack of charging facilities were major concerns. In contrast, those without home charging facilities reported “no basic home charging environment (65.17%)”, “insufficient charging spots (65.03%)”, and “long charging times (52.52%)”, with all top complaints relating to charging conditions.

As one solution to alleviate the dissatisfaction among EV owners regarding charging, ENECHANGE introduces a new flat-rate plan!

Aiming for a decarbonized society and the widespread adoption of EVs, ENECHANGE has been promoting the development of EV charging infrastructure since 2021. In response to the concerns about EV charging identified in the recent survey, ENECHANGE will start offering a new flat-rate pricing plan in late May 2024, enabling the use of ENECHANGE EV charging stations nationwide at a flat rate. This plan will allow all EV users, including those without their own home charging stations and those using EV charging cards issued by various companies, to enjoy more comfortable and economical EV usage in daily life. Moreover, users with home chargers will also benefit from more affordable charging options when away from home.

 

Commentary from CEO Yohei Kiguchi

In the expansion of Japan’s EV charging infrastructure, it is crucial to create an environment where users can easily charge their vehicles. Results from this survey show that difficulties in accessing the charging infrastructure are a major concern, which could potentially delay the adoption of EVs if not addressed. With our new flat-rate plan, we anticipate that EV users nationwide will be able to charge their EVs more conveniently and economically.

 

ENECHANGE EV Charge

ENECHANGE EV Charge is a Level 2 EV charging service, accepting app payments as well as cards from e-Mobility Power and numerous car companies. The free app offers features like the viewing of charging port availability, comparing charging costs with gasoline expenses, and planning charging for trips. It is the No. 1 app*1 in terms of user numbers and the number of installed charging ports*2. The service is highly rated for its holistic support from installation to operation, with plans starting from zero installation and monthly fees.

*1 Number of iOS & Android downloads among five EV charging service companies (as of November 2023, according to data.ai research).
*2 Based on the number of installed EV charging ports by an app-based service provider (as of April 2024, according to GoGoEV).

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

 

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 4Ds of Energy: Deregulation, Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Decentralization. Our company’s roots come from an energy data lab at the University of Cambridge, UK, a country where liberalization is mature. ENECHANGE has a UK subsidiary, ENECHANGE Innovation Limited, as well as a global network and analytical technology for energy data.    

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

■For inquiries
 ENECHANGE Ltd.
 pr@enechange.co.jp