EV-iction notice: Why are electric vehicle owners switching back to petrol and diesel (ICE) cars?

It can be gruelling to choose between a gourmet meal and your mom’s homemade biryani — more often than not, the familiar wins out.

Despite the buzz around electric vehicles, a growing number of drivers in India and the world are hitting the brakes on their electric vehicle (EV) journey and revving up their old petrol and diesel cars. But why are we witnessing this unexpected switch, and what does it spell for the future of driving?

Waning EV enthusiasm

A recent Park+ survey reported that 51% of Indian EV car owners expressed a desire to return to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This statistic — despite the study’s limited sample size of just 500 EV owners — is certainly surprising, given the evident success of India's push toward electrification with the attractive FAME and EMPS schemes.

This isn’t even a special case; a similar survey revealed that 29% of EV-owners shared the same sentiment internationally — perhaps not that large of a number, but certainly not an unnoticeable one either. The number is even higher when you look at just the United States. According to McKinsey & Co., 46% of US electric vehicle owners are “very” likely to purchase a gas-powered vehicle the next time.

Range anxiety remains a major roadblock

While the world has seen massive leaps in EV tech over the past few years, many still complain that the primary concerns still prevail. For instance, several cite the persisting inadequacy of charging infrastructure as a primary reason for the shift back to ICE vehicles. While urban areas in developed countries may boast a fair number of charging stations, the time taken to charge and faulty stations remain significant problems for a daily EV long-distance commuter.

For instance, one user sparked up a conversation on Reddit after explaining that they had begun to consider moving back to a hybrid of regular gas vehicles since they wanted to explore the countryside. This is a sentiment that reflects broader consumer concerns that influence purchasing decisions.

“Once I was in Big Bear there was only two DC chargers in town, one of which was out of order. There was a line to use them. It was overall an unpleasant experience and took up a lot of time we could have spent actually enjoying Big Bear,” another responded, noting that this was just one of many unpleasant experiences they’ve experienced with the charging infrastructure. “Most of the time at least one or two chargers are out of order and it's just a pain to charge. I love EV's but the infrastructure isn't adequate and reliable enough for me to ditch an ICE car completely.”
Further, you have to reconcile with the fact that these are still concerns for the urban rich, and that rural and less developed regions are still lagging significantly behind in this matter. Take India, for instance, where the charging infrastructure is still in its nascent stages, despite years-long government efforts. Long queues at charging stations, inconsistent availability, and longer charging times compared to refuelling ICE cars are major deterrents for the average Indian EV consumer.

Further, range anxiety continues to be a significant barrier, especially in countries like India that value long-distance trips. Despite advancements in battery technology, two-wheeler EVs boast a maximum range of only 200-300 kilometres, while cars have a 300-400 kilometre range.

Cost and practicality concerns

The initial cost of EVs also remains higher than that of their ICE counterparts, despite decreasing battery prices. For many consumers, especially in price-sensitive markets like India, this cost difference is substantial. Additionally, the practical concerns of battery life and replacement costs add to the apprehension.

“While consumers still have plenty of concerns surrounding an EV’s battery range, price remains the higher priority when purchasing an EV,” reported Julia Martinez, a US energy and auto expert.
While EVs are often touted for their lower maintenance costs, the reality can be different. Many lament that specialised service centres, the availability of parts, and skilled technicians are not as widespread for EVs as they are for ICE vehicles. This disparity in service infrastructure makes EV ownership less appealing to some consumers, both in India where mechanics are still grappling with learning about the new tech, and globally.

Car-makers are rethinking their approach

This “rejection”, along with the fact the global and US EV market has been stagnating for a while now, has already begun to bleed into real-life corporate decision-making as automakers reevaluate their EV strategies. For instance, Ford and General Motors have recently announced a downscaling of their EV production plans due to slower-than-expected market uptake.

Even Tesla — the very company that arguably made EVs “cool” in the first place — has found itself in an awkward position having to fan some flames away. Not only is the Musk-led company struggling to entice more people into buying their cars, studies have also shown that car buyers are connecting better with EVs built by more traditional automakers than Tesla owners. These developments suggest a broader hesitancy and a rebalancing towards consumer choice, including the retention of ICE options.
The transition from ICE to EVs is not as straightforward as initially anticipated. While EVs offer significant benefits, various factors such as infrastructure, cost, range anxiety, and consumer sentiment are causing some to reconsider their choices. In India, the journey toward widespread EV adoption is marked by impressive sales growth but also significant challenges that need to be addressed. The automotive industry's future may lie in striking a balance between advancing EV technology and maintaining the reliability of ICE vehicles to meet diverse consumer demands.