Over 50% Indian EV owners dissatisfied with their purchase, plan to go back to ICE vehicles: Study

A recent survey by Park+ has revealed significant dissatisfaction among Indian EV owners. The survey, which focused on car owners in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore, gathered responses from 500 EV owners. The findings highlight several concerns, with 51 per cent of respondents expressing a preference to return to ICE vehicles.

Charging anxiety emerged as a more significant concern than range anxiety, with 88 per cent of EV owners citing difficulties in finding accessible, safe, and operational charging stations. Despite the presence of over 20,000 EV charging stations in India, many owners find their visibility lacking.

Maintenance costs also present a significant challenge, with 73 per cent of respondents indicating that their EVs were difficult to understand and repair. The complexity of EV technology means local mechanics often struggle to address even minor issues, and owners are unable to obtain multiple opinions for repairs, leading to uncertainty about costs.

Another major issue is the dramatic drop in the resale value of EVs. About 33 per cent of respondents reported a significant decrease in the perceived value of their vehicles when checking resale quotes. This issue is compounded by the lack of widespread testing methods to determine the quality of an EV's battery, which constitutes a substantial portion of the vehicle's value.

Overall, EV owners reported higher levels of dissatisfaction compared to ICE vehicle owners. The daily hassles of EV ownership have led 51 per cent of respondents to consider switching back to traditional vehicles. This sentiment is partly due to the industry's inexperience in handling second-hand EVs.

The survey also revealed preferences among EV brands, with the TATA Nexon EV being the most popular choice, preferred by 61 per cent of respondents. The TATA Punch EV followed with 19 per cent. TATA EVs were highly rated for their design, durability, and safety. However, BYD, despite garnering attention, faced criticism for its pricing and lack of test drive options.

Amit Lakhotia, Founder & CEO of Park+, commented on the findings: 'The Indian 4W EV story is still being written, and there is a crucial need for a robust and smart EV charging infrastructure. Charging anxiety has overtaken range anxiety by a significant margin. As the largest EV charger installer in the country, we will continue to invest in enhancing the EV car ownership experience throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.'