Experiences of EV users in the French-German context

Ensslen, Axel; Jochem, Patrick; Fïchtner, Wolf · 2013 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1109/evs.2013.6914749

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Summary

This study investigates user acceptance and experiences with electric vehicles (EVs) within the French-German border region, specifically focusing on barriers to cross-border mobility. The research was conducted as part of the CROME project, which aimed to establish interoperable charging infrastructure to facilitate seamless transnational electric mobility. The authors sought to determine whether initial expectations regarding EV diffusion—particularly the higher potential in rural French areas compared to urbanized German regions—aligned with actual user experiences, attitudes, and long-term adoption intentions. The methodology involved an online survey administered between September 2012 and May 2013 to 161 participants from the CROME fleet test, which comprised over 100 EVs (predominantly Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell, and Peugeot iOn/Citroën C-Zero). Respondents included EV users and fleet managers from public authorities and commercial sectors in Alsace, Lorraine, Baden-Württemberg, and Moselle. Data collection also utilized vehicle data loggers and smartphones to record trip details. Statistical analysis employed principal component analysis to derive attitudinal factors and nonparametric Mann-Whitney tests to compare satisfaction levels and beliefs between French and German users, as well as between urban and rural residents. Key findings reveal a high overall satisfaction rate (97%) among users, with 76% preferring EVs over conventional cars. Significant national differences emerged: French users reported higher satisfaction with CO2 emission characteristics and maximum speed, likely influenced by France’s lower-carbon electricity mix and stricter speed limits. Conversely, German users placed greater importance on the corporate public image of EVs, viewing them as beneficial for company prestige. Urban dwellers (municipalities >20,000 citizens) expressed higher satisfaction with local emission absence, range, and battery life expectancy than rural residents. Regarding cross-border mobility, only 16% of trips exceeded 150 km, yet many users avoided using EVs for such trips due to fears of incompatible or unavailable charging infrastructure abroad. French users were more likely to cite vehicle-specific constraints (range, speed, seating) as barriers, while German users were more restricted by organizational policies prohibiting private or cross-border use. The study concludes that while EV acceptance is high, widespread diffusion requires addressing infrastructure and attitudinal barriers. The authors recommend standardizing hardware and software across Europe to ensure interoperability and actively communicating the availability of cross-border charging services to alleviate user anxiety. They suggest that the higher innovation affinity and climate concern among French users may drive private adoption, whereas the strong corporate image of EVs in Germany supports fleet integration. Ultimately, the paper highlights that technical interoperability and clear communication are critical for enabling seamless transnational electric mobility.

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• acceptance adoption