Dutch people are losing interest in electric driving, electric cars are too expensive

The ANWB’s annual Electric Driving Monitor shows that for the first time in years there is less interest in electric driving in the Netherlands. This is evident from research among 2,000 people between the ages of 18 and 70. It has never happened before that the group that expressly states that it does not plan to drive electric (28 percent) is larger than the group that indicates that it plans to drive electric within five years (27 percent).

The high prices of electric cars in particular influence the interest of Dutch consumers in electric driving. More than 70 percent of respondents indicate that they find electric cars too expensive. According to the research, the buyer wants to spend an average of €31,699 on an electric car, while the average purchase amount is no less than €45,850. Moreover, not only are the purchase prices of electric cars high for consumers, the increased price per kilometer also plays a role. While an electric car still cost an average of €0.61 per kilometer in 2022, this is now €0.72. The increased kilometer price is partly due to the lower residual value and therefore higher depreciation. This lower residual value is in turn related to the relatively small demand for electric used cars. Not only new electric cars are seen as expensive, second-hand EVs are also considered to be on the pricey side, the research shows.

After the high prices, not having an opportunity to charge the electric car at home is a major obstacle. 32 percent of respondents indicate that they see this as a barrier. Although it is now more clear how the MRB for electric cars will be regulated in the coming years, this has also influenced the interest of Dutch people in electric driving.

Top 5: most frequently mentioned objections to driving electric

1. Electric cars are too expensive
2. Cannot charge car privately
3. Few or no public charging stations
4. Insufficient range
5. High maintenance costs