Digital transformation affects every sector and of course the automotive sector. The automotive sector, which has experienced the biggest revolution since the invention of the Model T, is experiencing a very rapid change with the significant increase in electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads in the last 10 years.
Along with the change in automobile purchasing trends, new consumer behaviors have also emerged. Manufacturers and dealers who correctly interpret this change and manage to evolve simultaneously with sales, marketing and customer experience will be the ones who achieve the greatest success.
Those who buy electric vehicles do not research special additional packages and sports packages. Instead, consumers check battery range, charging networks and technology functionality. What is important to the consumer has changed; therefore, purchasing behaviors have also changed. Increasing awareness of sustainability and a general dissatisfaction and distrust of the dealership experience are one of the reasons why electric vehicles are shaking up the automotive sector, while increasing awareness of sustainability is also the second reason is the general dissatisfaction and distrust of the dealership experience.
Many new generation consumers do not want to participate in the traditional car purchasing experience. The online car shopping research, along with the dealer experience, is now creating a hybrid model. As generations increasingly look to buy cars entirely online and complete their purchases digitally, they want more transparent pricing and an easier, less complicated purchasing experience. Face-to-face sales conversations at the dealership are still important, of course, but manufacturers and dealers who embrace the new way of thinking have a chance to leave their competitors behind in the future.
As electric vehicle sales continue to increase rapidly year over year, new trends and demographics are expected to emerge.
As electric vehicle prices become more affordable in the coming years, we will likely see more consumers adopt electric vehicles. Consumers now consider the following factors when making a purchase: Affordability, availability, and brand awareness. These new trends are among the main factors affecting electric vehicle purchase decisions.
In general, it is expected that electric vehicles will be adopted across the industry and consumers in the next 10 years. It is no longer a distant possibility that the share of electric vehicles in new vehicle sales will reach 50 percent by 2030. EV adoption rates will be highest in developed, densely populated cities with strict emissions regulations and consumer incentives (tax breaks, special parking and driving privileges, discounted electricity prices, etc.). The more environmentally conscious a city or country is, the more likely it is that there will be a greater number of EVs in that area.
Interestingly, one of the biggest concerns for current and potential EV buyers continues to be range anxiety. More than 50% of drivers worry about running out of battery while traveling. The lack of charging stations and broken or malfunctioning stations can also be a deterrent for those considering purchasing an EV.
Most EV drivers charge their vehicles daily or every other day, usually at home or in the parking lot of their workplace. , This means that regular commutes are less of a concern. However, drivers are much more concerned about running out of battery on longer journeys that require planned stops for charging. One of the first things to consider when deciding to buy an EV is the network of charging stations. Research shows that charging infrastructure continues to be a hurdle. It is, of course, natural that sales penetration will be slower in smaller towns and rural areas that have lower charging infrastructure levels and are more dependent on driving range.
