Learning from Norwegian Battery Electric and Plug in Hybrid Vehicle users: Results from a survey of vehicle owners
Battery electric vehicles are more energy efficient, pollute less and emit fewer greenhouse gases than vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Plug in hybrid vehicles are in a mid position, capable of prolonged driving in electric mode with electricity charged from the grid or the use of fossil fuel in an internal combustion engine. A survey of over 8000 vehicle owners show that plug in hybrids drive electrically with power from the grid 55% of the time but battery electric vehicles are driven more in total and in everyday traffic. Buyers are different but motivated by economy of use and environment, whereas battery electric vehicle owners also are motivated by the free toll road incentive. Battery electric vehicle owners are younger, have more children, longer distance to work and own more vehicles than other vehicle owners. Normally diesel and gasoline vehicles are replaced but a larger share of battery electric vehicles become extra vehicles in households. These owners could belong to an age group and family type where such behaviour is more common or indicate a rebound effect. The vehicles are mainly charged at home, partly at work and rarely elsewhere. Fast charging is used for irregular trips where users plan to use fast chargers to accomplish the trip or to solve a problem on the go. Most battery electric vehicle owners manage everyday life well and are satisfied with the vehicle which in combination with attractive local incentives not available to other vehicle users, may explain why these two vehicle types do not seem to compete for the same customer.