Shell Recharge Driver Survey

Shell survey: willingness to switch to EV declines

Published on 18-06-2025 at 14:47

In Europa overwoog vorig jaar 48 procent de overstap naar elektrisch. Dat is nu gedaald naar 41 procent.

Although electric car owners are generally satisfied with their cars, interest in making the switch from petrol or diesel to electric is declining. This is according to the Shell Recharge Driver Survey 2025, a global survey of 15,000 drivers, including 2,500 from the Netherlands.

The survey shows a significant increase in confidence among current EV drivers. Globally, 61 per cent say they worry less about a flat battery than a year ago. In addition, 72 per cent feel that the supply and availability of public charging points has improved. 91 per cent of EV drivers want their next car to be electric again.

At the same time, the survey shows that interest in electric vehicles among drivers of combustion engine cars is declining. In Europe, 48 per cent were still considering switching to electric last year, while this has now dropped to 41 per cent. In the United States, the share dropped from 34 to 31 per cent. Cost appears to be a major barrier: 43 per cent of petrol and diesel drivers cite this as the main reason for not switching for the time being.

Support for phasing out

The survey also looked at attitudes towards policies aimed at phasing out fossil-fuel vehicles. In Europe, 44 per cent of traditional drivers support this policy, while in the United States it is 46 per cent. That support appears to depend partly on price developments: 56 per cent of supporters would continue to support the policy if electric cars remain more expensive than petrol or diesel cars. Similarly, 50 per cent say they would continue to support the phase-out if charging infrastructure is not improved.

Coffee remains favourite

Shell also conducted research into what purchases motorists make at petrol stations other than fuel. A large majority buy a non-fuel related product every month: 75 per cent of electric drivers and 80 per cent of other motorists. Coffee appears to be by far the most popular: 41 per cent of all motorists drink at least one cup a month. However, 60 per cent say they only buy coffee from a petrol station if the quality is good.

Read also:

This article was automatically translated from the Dutch language original to English (British).

𝕏