Generally speaking, renters tend to shy away from purchasing electric vehicles.
The prospect of politics fostering widespread growth in electric vehicles often falls short due to inadequate infrastructure. A survey reveals that principally renters can't fathom buying one due to the scarcity of parking spaces with charging stations. Interestingly, half of homeowners also exhibit no interest in an electric car.
In Germany, particularly renters seem to be shying away from electric vehicles as per a comprehensive survey conducted by comparison portal Verivox and distributed to Funke media group newspapers. Only 22% of German homeowners presently own an electric car. Among renters, it's a mere 8%. The main reason behind this disparity appears to be the unavailability of charging facilities: Only 4% of German renters, according to the survey, can afford to privately charge an electric car. The remainder are compelled to utilize the more expensive charging at public stations.
Tenants with a contractually guaranteed parking space have legally been entitled to charging facilities for their personal electric car since December 2020. However, private parking spaces in lease agreements are scarce: According to the survey, 60% of the renters do not have any private parking spaces. A quarter (25%) admitted to having a private parking space that could be fitted with a wall box. Nevertheless, only 4% of renters can currently charge their electric cars at a private charging station.
Conversely, homeowners hold an advantage here: Around 21% have already access to a private parking space fitted with a wall box. 57% own a private parking space that could be fitted with a charging station. Merely 16% of homeowners do not possess a private parking space yet. Charging an electric car at home instead of relying on public charging stations noticeably affects one's personal economy. According to Verivox's calculations, public charging in the first half of 2024 was up to 79% more expensive than charging at a home wall box.
Exorbitant charging costs at public charging stations
Private charging costs amounted to 863 euros in the first half of 2024 - for an annual mileage of 12,000 kilometers and an average household electricity price of 35.96 cents/kWh. On the other hand, the average kilowatt-hour price at public charging stations was 54.25 cents/kWh (normal charging with alternating current) or 64.44 cents/kWh (fast charging with direct current). This translated to charging costs of 1302 euros or 1547 euros.
Experts now accuse politics of being responsible. "A comprehensive transition to electromobility can only be successful if everyone can participate on equal terms. Here, the federal government must establish the necessary framework conditions, such as the reinstatement of state subsidies for private charging stations and regulation of public charging station prices," stated Thorsten Storck, energy expert at Verivox. It's no surprise, given the prevailing circumstances, that renters presently exhibit little interest in purchasing an electric car.
In fact, the majority of renters (71%) have no plans to buy one. Only one in five (21%) intends to buy an electric car. Around 1 in 12 renters (8%) already drive one. Homeowners, however, have nearly three times as many electric cars (22%). 30% of the homeowners surveyed plan to buy one. However, almost half (48%) also believe that a purchase is not an option for them at the moment.
Despite the government's efforts to provide charging facilities for electric cars, renters continue to face challenges due to the lack of private parking spaces with charging stations. Only 4% of German renters can currently charge their electric cars at a private charging station.
The high costs of charging at public stations further deter renters from purchasing electric cars. According to Verivox's calculations, public charging in the first half of 2024 was up to 79% more expensive than charging at a home wall box, making it financially challenging for renters.
