Business travellers show little interest in e-cars

Four fifths of all business travellers have no interest in using electric cars (e-cars). Only 19 per cent of all professionals surveyed opt for this category when travelling on business. This was the result of a survey conducted by the travel management company BCD.

On the other hand, 81% of those questioned said they would never hire an electric car for a business trip. The image of the durability of an electric car is therefore a factor for very few business travellers. "Complex logistics" (46 per cent), "poor availability at the rental location" (35 per cent) and "short range" (33 per cent) are the main reasons for choosing a more conventional means of transport. Around twelve percent also indicated that their company's policy did not provide for electric cars at all.

Sustainability is not a factor in business travel planning

The concept of sustainability as such also plays hardly any role in the choice of vehicle: only nine per cent take sustainability into account, while 70 per cent never or rarely think about sustainability when choosing a vehicle.

Over 900 business travellers in North America and Europe who had rented a car at least once in the past year took part in the survey. The survey focused on traveller behaviour and satisfaction as well as current car rental trends in the business travel sector. The results show that most business travellers rent a car to visit their company's office, meet clients or provide an on-site service. Renting a car often takes priority over other modes of transport, as convenience (64 per cent) or speed (36 per cent) is important to respondents when travelling. 32 per cent of respondents simply lack alternatives and for 30 per cent, car hire is the best means of transport in terms of price.

Need to rethink the use of e-cars

For half of the respondents who decided to rent an electric car, the sustainability aspect played a role for 51 per cent. Curiosity is an important factor, especially in this still relatively young automotive sector: 29 per cent wanted to try out an electric vehicle. For 24 per cent, the broad availability at the rental location was the decisive factor. However, only 4 per cent stated that the company policy promotes the rental of electric cars.

This field would be decisive for the decision in favour of or against an electric car. For 69 per cent, their own company guidelines have the greatest influence on their choice of rental car. Other factors include the convenience of the pick-up location (46 per cent), the price (34 per cent) and customer loyalty programmes (33 per cent).