A survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics among electric car owners reveals that they drive an average of 57 kilometers per day or 21 thousand kilometers per year. This compares to 40 kilometers per day and an annual average of 14,600 kilometers for private cars running on petrol or diesel. In other words, electric cars travel 42% more on average than other vehicles.
The explanation is clear: Buying an electric car is more economical for drivers who travel above the average distance. However, this is the first time this information has been officially collected. The data was collected from a survey sent directly to 66,000 citizens who own electric vehicles (with tens of thousands more owned by fleet companies). Nearly 15,000 people responded to the survey.
88% of electric vehicle owners reported that they charge their cars at home either frequently or occasionally, while 9% said they never charge their cars at home due to the lack of a home charging station. In small communities, only 3% reported not having a home charging station, compared to 14% in larger cities. 30% of respondents said they use fast public charging stations either frequently or occasionally, 13% use slow public charging stations, and only 14% charge at their workplace.
About 40% of users of public charging stations reported that stations are generally available and operational, but that most users experience difficulties charging: 51% of users of fast charging stations said that stations are often operational but busy, and about 10% reported that stations are often Off.
Our take: The rapid adoption rate of electric vehicles in Israel has surprised many, as it exceeds the European average as more than 25% of all vehicles sold in Israel since the beginning of the year are electric. However, those who dream of reaching a 90% adoption rate by the end of the decade — we mean you, the Israeli government — should pay attention to the survey results released today.
Currently, almost all electric vehicle buyers are those who can install a home charging station. As long as drivers continue to encounter occupied or malfunctioning public charging stations, electric vehicle ownership will remain limited to those who can charge at home. The rest – millions of Israelis – will continue to drive polluting vehicles.
