Perception of electric car use over time

Changes in the attitudes of the Hungarian population towards electric cars and electric car users between 2022 and 2024

Abstract

Purpose – The automotive industry is trying to reduce environmental impact by offering alternative solutions such as hybrid and electric powertrains. However, cars with this technology are expensive and unusual, and sometimes require compromises. Yet, their number is growing, and more and more of them are on the road. This gives researchers the opportunity to study those who choose these cars and to ask those who do not use them (yet?). The study aims to present the results of a survey of 1,000 people representative of the adult Hungarian population in 2022 and 2024.  The study will compare the answers to questions on hybrid and battery electric cars, and to compare them to see how people's opinions have changed after two years.

Design/methodology/approach – We selected questions from the 2022 and 2024 1000-person surveys, which are representative of the adult Hungarian population, that best demonstrate, the change in the opinion and acceptance of Hungarians towards cars with electric technology when compared. The graphs in the study illustrate the decreasing trend in consumer interest and the increasing skepticism. SPSS Statistics was used to analyze the data which was then plotted in Microsoft Excel.

Findings – Even in the 2022 survey, we found that people were distrustful of hybrid and battery electric vehicles. The results of the 2024 survey show an even more negative picture. Respondents believe that only the wealthy can afford to buy such vehicles and do not consider those who use them to be acting sustainably. The survey results also show that few people are considering buying such a car.

Originality – The field of hybrid, and in particular, battery electric cars is new, and little research has been conducted into how Hungarian people’s opinions on the subject have changed.