One in two cannot charge the electric car at home

More and more people want to buy an electric car, but few have the opportunity to charge the car at home. According to a Sifo survey, every second person does not have the opportunity to charge the car at home.

The number of rechargeable cars on Swedish roads is relatively small, around 90,000 cars, although the number is constantly increasing. One factor that complicates the transition to more rechargeable cars is precisely the charging option. The infrastructure with charging posts is still deficient.

Few charging points in the north

Unsurprisingly, the availability of charging stations is better in big cities compared to rural areas. If you look at the northern half, there are only about 200 charging points north of Sundsvall, and not all poles are compatible with all brands and car models.

Additional factors in the fact that the transition to a greener car fleet is slow is that in some places it can be really expensive to refuel your electric car. And few have the opportunity to charge the car at home. In our survey, 51% of respondents state that they do not charge the car in or near their home.

The charging problem can make many people hesitate to buy an electric car. Until now, the best wallet argument for electric cars has been the low cost per mile, but at some sought-after charging points the total price of charging and parking can even exceed the cost of the fossil fuel. Refueling at a charging station is therefore not a lasting alternative to refueling at home.

Subsidy for charging at home is reintroduced

Do you think it is difficult to know what applies when refueling your car at home? You're not alone. 17% of respondents simply do not know if they can even charge the car at home. Notably, uncertainty was higher among women (24%) compared to men (11%).

The figures speak volumes for the uncertainty surrounding electric and plug-in hybrid cars. There is a lot to consider in order for charging to work smoothly and, above all, to be safe. The right equipment is a must and for those who do not live in private housing, a discussion with the landlord or association is required, and this is where you can get the nob. Not least, you need to ask yourself the question whether the electrical installation can handle the extra load.

According to a Sifo survey we conducted at the beginning of 2018, many of those who do not have a charging facility at home stated that they refrain from buying an electric car because it will be too expensive.

In the spring amendment budget, the so-called load-at-home support for private individuals was reintroduced within the framework of Klimatklivet, an investment support that will reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that affect the climate. The applicant can now once again be granted a grant for half of the costs of the charging station itself, materials and labor costs for installation. At most, you can receive SEK 10,000 in grants per property.

For those who are thinking of buying an electric car, it is of course welcome to charge the home support now gets a second chance. Above all, it creates the conditions for more people to have charging options at home.

About the survey The survey was conducted in Kantar Sifo's web panel during the period 7-11 May 2019. A total of 1,362 people aged 18-79 were interviewed, of which 1,003 own a car. The web panel is nationally representative recruited based on random selection. There is no self-recruitment in Sifo's web panel.