A new global survey from Shell has highlighted a growing disconnect between current electric vehicle (EV) drivers and those yet to make the switch—raising questions about the pace of transition and the support needed to achieve it. While the confidence and satisfaction of existing EV owners is rising, enthusiasm from drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles is stalling, particularly in Europe, the report finds.
Shell’s 2025 Recharge Driver Survey, based on the views of over 15,000 drivers across Europe, the US, and China, reveals a tale of two markets. On one hand, EV drivers are becoming more confident than ever in their decision to go electric; on the other, prospective switchers cite cost and infrastructure limitations as persistent hurdles.
EV Drivers Increasingly Committed
The clearest message in the data? EV adopters don’t look back. A striking 91% of EV drivers—including battery electric and plug-in hybrid owners—say their next car will also be electric. This marks a firm vote of confidence in electric mobility, reinforced by more positive experiences with charging and a growing perception of reliability.
Globally, 61% of current EV owners say they are less worried than a year ago about range anxiety. Meanwhile, 72% agree that public charging availability and options have improved—though regional differences are stark.’
ICE Drivers Losing Interest
Despite positive sentiment from EV drivers, interest in switching among internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners is waning. In the US, willingness to go electric has slipped to 31% (down from 34% in 2024), and in Europe the decline is even steeper—from 48% last year to just 41% in 2025.
Affordability is the dominant concern, the report finds. In Europe, 43% of drivers who haven’t yet made the switch cite cost as the primary barrier. This is compounded by broader economic pressures and stubbornly high vehicle prices, despite a continued decline in battery costs.
According to the IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2025, stagnant pricing in the new EV market—paired with high energy bills—has cooled interest in electric adoption among budget-conscious consumers.
Charging Reliability Remains a European Weak Spot
Infrastructure continues to be a sticking point. Just 51% of European drivers believe the reliability of public chargers has improved over the past year, compared to 80% in the US and 74% in China. Value for money is another red flag: only 17% of European drivers think public charging is affordable, while satisfaction is significantly higher in China (69%) and the US (71%).
That discrepancy may help explain the regional divergence in EV confidence—and adds weight to calls for investment and regulation that bring European infrastructure up to speed.
No Going Back: Fewer ICE Backups Needed
An insightful indicator of growing EV trust is the increasing number of single-car EV households. Fewer drivers feel the need to hold onto a petrol or diesel “backup” vehicle. In the US, the percentage of EV drivers who own only one vehicle rose from 34% to 41%. Europe saw a jump from 49% to 54%, while in China, an overwhelming 89% of EV owners now rely on just one car.
And there are signs the second-hand EV market is expanding. In Europe, the share of new EV purchases dropped slightly from 82% in 2024 to 78% this year, indicating a rise in used EV adoption—a key affordability factor.
Support for ICE Phase-Out is Conditional
Public support for policies phasing out ICE vehicles appears to be softening—or at least becoming more conditional. Just under half (46% in the US and 44% in Europe) back such policies. Among those, support falls if EVs remain more expensive or if infrastructure does not improve—underscoring the importance of tangible, cost-effective alternatives.
David Bunch, Group Executive Vice President of Shell Mobility & Convenience, said:
“There’s a growing disparity in the transition to electric vehicles. While current EV drivers are feeling more confident, the relatively high cost of owning an electric vehicle, combined with broader economic pressures, are making it a difficult decision for new consumers. The 20% VAT on public charging certainly isn’t helping.”
Bunch called for a “systems-wide approach” to decarbonisation, combining electrification with investment in low-carbon fuels, better infrastructure, and pricing support.
Coffee, Convenience, and the Charging Experience
Interestingly, convenience retail continues to be a shared priority across all driver types. Around 80% of non-EV drivers and 75% of EV drivers buy at least one non-fuel retail item monthly—most often coffee. However, 60% of drivers say they’ll only buy coffee if it’s high quality, pointing to opportunities for forecourts to improve the EV experience through premium amenities.
“There’s a clear demand for good quality coffee among drivers” added Bunch. “We are committed to meeting this need, whether that’s through our convenience partners or Shell Café.”
Conclusion: A Turning Point, Not a Plateau
The Shell survey reinforces a central truth about the EV transition: it’s no longer about proving the technology to early adopters—it’s about closing the gap for the rest. Confidence among current EV drivers is a strong signpost for the future, but affordability, infrastructure, and policy alignment remain key to unlocking mass market adoption.
As Bunch concluded: “More must be done to stimulate demand and ensure no one is left behind in the shift to cleaner transport.”
With policymakers and industry leaders watching the data closely, it’s clear: now is not the time to pull the plug on EV support—it’s time to double down.
