Survey will gauge EV perceptions

Kiwis’ perceptions about EVs will be included in a survey being undertaken for a University of Otago Master of Science Communication research project.

The future of motoring in New Zealand is changing fast, along with Kiwi’s motoring habits and the types of vehicles being bought, researcher Sam Hales says.

“Motorists need up-to-date, reliable and easily accessible information and powerful communication to be well informed and knowledgeable about the motoring choices that we will be making in the future,” he adds.

“This survey will collect data on Kiwi’s motoring habits, attitudes towards vehicles, perceptions of electric vehicles, and how we find and trust information about them.”

The survey, which runs until the end of August, is open to anyone aged 17 and older whether or not they own a vehicle and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Participants can elect to go in a draw to win a $100 supermarket voucher and contact details will be separated from the anonymous survey response and won’t be shared or used for any other purpose, Hales explains.

“EV-related questions are prominent in the survey and are important in gauging Kiwi’s changing perceptions towards them,” he says.

These include asking non-EV owners whether they have driven an EV and, if so, what their experience was.

EV owners are also asked about their EV experience, including whether and how often they experience range anxiety.

The survey

enquires where participants have seen information about EVs, whether they trust certain information sources and what major barriers stop them adopting an EV themselves.

The research has been approved through the University of Otago’s ethics process.