EVs in top position: 47% of company car drivers prefer sustainable choices, reveals LeasePlan survey
Drivers of business cars continue to embrace sustainability, with nearly half, or 47%, expressing a preference for electric vehicles if given the opportunity to switch their company car tomorrow.
This reaffirms electric drive as the frontrunner, a position initially claimed in LeasePlan's 2022 annual Business car barometer. Despite concerns regarding range anxiety and inadequate charging infrastructure, LeasePlan's findings underscore a clear shift towards electric vehicles among business car drivers. An increasing percentage don’t believe that the government is doing enough to speed up the transition to EV.
LeasePlan annually surveys business car drivers to gauge their preferences regarding company vehicles. Among the over 3,000 respondents, nearly half (47%) indicate a preference for electric cars if they were to choose their business car tomorrow. Diesel vehicles continue to decline in popularity, with only a fraction of respondents opting for them. Additionally, 7 out of 10 respondents express openness to choosing an electric car.
"It's encouraging to see the increasing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, despite the sudden removal of environmental bonuses for passenger cars," says Frank Alofs, CEO of LeasePlan Sweden. "However, concerns regarding range remain an issue and many don’t think the government is doing enough to support the transition to EVs."
Among respondents reluctant to choose electric cars, the most common reasons cited include insufficient range per charge (78%) and a shortage of charging stations (65%)—figures that, although reduced from previous surveys, remain significant. Additionally, 15% of respondents cite the removal of environmental bonuses by the government as a reason.
Increasing numbers of charging stations
A doubled proportion, but still only 10 percent, stated in the survey that they believe there are enough charging stations for electric cars along Swedish roads. 21 percent say they are comfortable taking a longer driving holiday in Europe given the range and the number of charging stations along the roads.
“While the number of charging points in Sweden has increase with 50 percent in the past year, concerns persist, especially in rural areas. Most charging facilities are concentrated around urban areas and major highways, posing some inconvenience. However, accessibility remains a challenge in rural areas, and I understand the need for business car drivers to travel seamlessly throughout the country," adds Frank Alofs.
Incentives from the government are lacking according to the company car drivers
Perceptions regarding government incentives also play a crucial role. This year, the percentage of respondents who believe that the government is not doing enough to promote the transition to electric vehicles has increased by ten percentage points, from 51% to 61%. Only 8% believe that the government's efforts are adequate, while nearly half (47%) states that the removal of environmental bonuses will impact their future choice of company car.
Questions in the survey
Which fuel would you choose if you were to make your company car choice tomorrow? (Compared to the 2022 survey). Electricity, 47% (41%). Petrol + electricity, 36% (35%) Diesel + electricity, 20% (22%) Diesel, 9% (10%) Petrol, 4% (3%) Gasoline + Vehicle gas, 0% (1%) Gasoline + Ethanol 0%. (0%) Don't know, 3% (5%)
What determines your choice of fuel? (Compared to the 2022 survey). Range, 52% (50%) Finance, 45% (49%) Company car policy, 37% (36%) Carbon dioxide emissions and the environment, 32% (33%) Fuel consumption, 22% (25%) Easily accessible, 22% (22%) Tax rules, 18% (21%) Environmental car premiums, 12% (14%) Other, 3% (3%)
Can you imagine choosing an electric car? (Compared to the 2022 survey). Yes, 69% (66%) No, 23% (24%) Don't know, 8% (10%)
If no, why not? (Multiple choice) (Compared to the 2022 examination). The range per charge is too short, 78% (81%) There are too few charging stations, 65% (70%) Because the battery loses performance in the cold, 42% (42%) Increasing electricity prices, 21% (-) It's too expensive, 20% (20%) Removed environmental bonus, 15% (-) Concerns about battery life, 14% (18%) The car models do not appeal to me in terms of design, 7% (7%) Because the resale value is unclear, 7% (12%) Cheaper with ICE, 5% (-) Other, 16% (15%)
Do you think there are enough charging stations for electric cars along the Swedish roads? (Compared to the 2022 survey). Yes, 10% (5%) No, 67% (71%) No opinion / Don't know, 23% (24%)
Do you think the government is doing enough to promote the transition to electric cars? (Compared to the 2022 survey) Yes, 8% (13%) No, 61% (51%) Do not think they should promote the transition, 13% (14%) Don't know, 18% (22%)
Do you think that the climate bonus that has now been removed will affect your choice of an environmentally friendly car in the future? Yes, 47% No, 30% Don’t know, 23%
Are you planning a driving holiday this summer? Yes, 48% (42%) No, 37% (37%) Don't know, 15% (21%)
Where do you want to go? Within the country, 48% (54%) Within the Nordics, 21% (17%) Within Europe, 30% (28%) Further 1% (0%) Don't know, 1% (2%)
If you have, or would have, an electric car, would you feel comfortable taking a longer driving holiday in Europe given the range and number of charging stations along the roads in Europe? (Compared to the 2022 survey). Yes, 21% (16%). No, 61% (64%). No opinion / Don't know, 18% (19%)
About the survey The survey was conducted by the market research company Detector on behalf of LeasePlan. A total of 3,102 company car drivers in Sweden responded to the survey.