How ready are Greek drivers to make the right consumer decisions regarding electric vehicles?

¹ School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, PO Box 452, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
² School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, 263 35 Patras, Greece
³ National Centre of Social Research, 105 52 Athens, Greece

^* Corresponding author: dnalba@civil.auth.gr

Abstract

This paper investigates the readiness of Greek drivers to adopt electric vehicles by analyzing the results of a survey conducted among postgraduate students of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) in Greece. The paper examines consumer decisions regarding electric vehicles, focusing on factors such as cost, charging infrastructure, environmental impact, and technological concerns. Notably, 21% of the participants do not consider recharging requirements, and 83% would not buy an electric car. The study’s qualitative results reveal that high initial costs, limited charging infrastructure, and range anxiety are significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption in Greece. Despite these challenges, the potential for long-term savings and environmental benefits from electric vehicles is significant. The findings underscore the need for enhanced public awareness, improved infrastructure, and more substantial financial incentives to facilitate the transition to electric mobility in Greece. This paper contributes to understanding the specific challenges faced by Greek consumers and offers insights for policymakers to support the adoption of electric vehicles more efficiently.