Enthusiasm for electric vehicles growing in Southeast Asia

A new study by Frost & Sullivan, commissioned by Nissan, shows that consumers across Southeast Asia continue to show high enthusiasm to own an electrified vehicle, largely driven by a growing need to create a more sustainable future. With respondents from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand showing the most eager purchase consideration for an electrified vehicle.

Increasing consideration over time

• 64% say they are more willing to consider an electrified vehicle than they were five years ago.
• 66% believe they will inevitably adopt electrified mobility as part of their lives in the near future.
• 37% state they would certainly consider an electrified vehicle as their next car purchase within the next three years.

Contribution to a greener future

The study also found growing environmental awareness across Southeast Asia, with respondents believing that their adoption of an electrified vehicle would undoubtedly contribute to environmental protection.

• 38% of respondents can be classified as ‘environmentalists’, compared to 34% in similar research in 2018. This group of consumers is driven by strong environmental awareness and climate change concerns. They view an electrified vehicle use as a way to do their bit for the environment.
• 81% of study respondents mentioned that their choice would be significantly influenced by different power sources. This care for the environment was found to be most important to consumers in the Philippines and Thailand.

Barriers to adoption reduced

• The fear of running out of power before arriving at the charging station (48%) continues to be the most significant barrier in the adoption of an electrified vehicle.
• Tax benefits (77%) and charging infrastructure in residential buildings (75%) are the top two most attractive incentives for consumers to switch to electrified vehicles; both have increased from 2018.

Key quote

“Our findings show that consumers generally value the overall driving experience of an electrified vehicle, given their innovative and high-technology features matched with high-performance engines. Over time, increased environmental awareness, lower maintenance costs for an electrified vehicle coupled with tax incentives and improved public and private charging facilities will be key motivators for consumers to possibly switch to electrified vehicles, and purchasing one in the near future,” said Vivek Vaidya, Associate Partner and SVP, Mobility, Asia-Pacific at Frost & Sullivan.