A new international survey by the Global EV Alliance suggests the electric-vehicle landscape is being shaped as much by politics and perception as by product and pricing. As for car brands, 41% of buyers are reluctant to buy Tesla due to political concerns, while one in ten opposes cars made in China.

The Global EV Alliance is a network of national EV associations (70 in total). In the second edition of its annual study, The Global EV Driver Survey, it collected the views of more than 26,000 electric car drivers in 30 countries.

This reflects each nation’s share of the global EV fleet. The results point to a market influenced by misinformation and policy gaps, but they have also yielded fascinating insights into the influence of automakers’ conduct.

False claims

Across regions, drivers say false claims about electric cars continue to slow the shift away from combustion engines. Of the respondents, 77% regard persistent myths as a significant obstacle to broader adoption. 

For example, claims that EVs are prone to battery fires remain common, even though 88% of surveyed drivers say they have no safety concerns in that area. The study argues that these narratives create not only hesitation among consumers but also among policymakers. 

People who already own an EV rarely believe these myths, so the GEVA thinks they should be given a more prominent role in public discussions.

Signs of improvement

Concerns about charging infrastructure continue to weigh on potential buyers, particularly outside mature EV markets. Drivers in Costa Rica, Brazil, and India still report limited roadside charging as a significant barrier, though GEVA notes signs of improvement. 

The share of global respondents who view fast-charger coverage as a disadvantage fell from 23% last year to 18% in the latest results, pointing to a positive development in charging accessibility while traveling. However, home charging remains the dominant energy source for most drivers.

Political measures are needed

Policy expectations loom large: 83% of respondents believe their governments need to introduce or strengthen measures that support EV adoption.

Petter Haugneland, vice chair of GEVA, emphasizes: “This is a clear message to politicians in every country aiming to electrify road transport and increase EV sales. Policy action is needed to accelerate adoption. Politicians cannot simply lean back and assume the market and the consumers will solve this on their own.”

High purchase prices remain another hurdle: 58% of drivers say cost is a barrier to uptake, even though 45% cite lower running costs as one reason they bought an EV. 

Avoiding Tesla

Political perceptions of automakers have become a significant factor. More than half of survey participants say they avoid certain brands for political or social reasons.

Tesla dominates that list: 41% of global EV drivers, and more than half in countries such as the United States and Germany, say they would steer clear of the brand because of its association with Elon Musk, whose public endorsements and gestures have drawn widespread criticism. 

Ethical objections also extend to some Chinese manufacturers, though affordability often outweighs politics in countries where consumer choice is limited.

Satisfaction rises

Satisfaction levels remain high despite the friction points. 86% of EV owners describe themselves as very satisfied, a slight increase from the previous year. The GEVA says that enthusiasm among existing owners makes them central to convincing skeptical buyers, particularly in markets where lingering myths and infrastructure concerns still slow adoption.

With two consecutive years of global survey data, the survey highlights how existing EV drivers view electric mobility much more positively than customers who remain hesitant and need to be convinced.