1 in 3 consumers are open to EVs

The finding demonstrates the region's strong potential to speed up the electrification of mobility.  The study by Frost & Sullivan, titled "Future of Electric Vehicles in Southeast Asia," was released today in Singapore at Nissan Futures, a gathering of industry leaders, government officials and media. Consumer research in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines reveals that 37 per cent of prospective buyers are open to considering an electric vehicle as their next car.  With the right incentives, the region can accelerate the adoption of electric and electrified vehicles, the study shows. While potential demand for electric vehicles is significant, adoption barriers remain, including a lack of knowledge.  "Leapfrogging in electrification of mobility requires strong collaboration between public and private parties and a long-term approach tailored to each market's unique situation," Yutaka Sanada, regional senior vice president at Nissan, said at Nissan Futures. "Consumers in Southeast Asia have indicated that governments have a critical role to play in the promotion of electric vehicles." "Meanwhile, as car manufacturers, we need to do a better job in explaining that EVs are indeed a safe, smart and sustainable option in all weather conditions," Sanada added. "Nissan's electric vehicles undergo extremely rigorous testing in the most severe conditions. We are very proud that our 300,000 Nissan LEAF customers have driven more than 3.9 billion kilometers around the world since 2010, without experiencing any critical incidents with the batteries." Vivek Vaidya, senior vice president of mobility at Frost & Sullivan, added: "Contrary to popular belief that the high cost of EVs is the impediment, the survey reveals that safety concerns and charging concerns run high on customers' minds. If the industry and government can take away these barriers, the full potential of EVs can be reached."