More than HALF of electric Porsche owners want to switch back to petrol as luxury brands struggle to keep EV customers
MORE than half of Porsche EV owners want to switch back to petrol cars, a new study has revealed.
Research by S&P Global Mobility found that “fuel loyalty” to EVs among customers is on the decline, with the German giant particularly badly affected.
According to the figures, just 37% of Porsche owners would consider another electric model for their next car.
Even more worryingly for the brand, that is the highest figure it has achieved over the past three years.
The previous peak of 34% came last year compared to a high of 31% recorded in 2020.
Porsche came off worst when lined up against other luxury EV makers, with BMW’s 45.9% the next lowest score.
Overall, an average of just 52.1% of owners across the six brands compared would go for an electric car next time around.
However, this does not appear to be terminal for the industry as a whole, as some companies recorded a marked growth in customer loyalty.
For example, Tesla has seen its rate of buyers willing to return to electric power increase from 60% in 2020 to 72.1% today.
Likewise, Audi has recovered from a dip that saw it hit a low of 20% in mid-2021 to post a figure of 53% today.
Tom Libby, S&P’s associate director for loyalty solutions and industry analysis, said: “The [car companies] are spending huge amounts of money to develop [electric vehicles].
“So the last thing they want is for an [electric-vehicle] owner to go back to [car with a petrol or diesel engine].”
Porsche has been contacted for comment.
It comes after a driver who switched his petrol Skoda for an EV claimed it was plagued by issues.
Meanwhile, one motorist told The Sun why he went back to a petrol motor after owning, and loving, two EVs.