The high price slows down the arrival of the electric car in rural areas

2023-06-08 18:36:01

In 2021 the number of electric vehicles nationwide has increased by approximately 37,000 units (up to 162,000), although only 10% would correspond to rural areas. Despite this data, there has been an increase in the acquisition of these vehicles in rural areas compared to 2020. On the other hand, given a foreseeable renewal of the rural vehicle fleet in the coming years (80% of current vehicles are more than 10 years old) there is an excellent opportunity for its electrification.

Among the obstacles that explain the slow progress of the electric vehicle, the main one continues to be the cost, followed by the lack of public infrastructure and an inadequate perception of the benefits of its use.

The Second Report of CIDE Rural Decarbonization Observatory shows that there is still a great territorial imbalance in the implementation of the electric vehicle.

According to the survey carried out by this body, 40% of rural households and 1 in 3 of rural companies consider that the cost of acquiring an electric vehicle is a barrier to the electrification of transport in rural areas.

Currently, only a third of the rural respondents have a public recharge near their home. The rural population in general manifests significant limitations in relation to access to information and specialized advice.

In addition, the majority of those surveyed who do not have an electric vehicle state that they have no intention of acquiring one in the coming years, while those who do consider the acquisition will do so, for the most part, in the next 2-5 years. .

After the results observed in 2021, the forecasts are for continued growth, although reaching figures that are still far from the goal of five million electric vehicles by 2030.

In order to meet this objective, the Observatory includes among its proposals a greater presence of support and dissemination elements in rural areas with dissemination, awareness and sensitization campaigns regarding the expected benefits of electric vehicles.

Likewise, it recalls the importance of promoting the implementation of charging points, which enables a real sustainable transport alternative with measures such as a regulatory development that enables distribution companies to be owners of last resort charging infrastructures in those cases that there is no interest in private initiative.