Electric Cars: Swiss People Are Overcoming Range Anxiety

A representative study by AutoScout24 and YouGov shows that more and more Swiss people no longer view electric cars solely as city vehicles, but increasingly as a practical option for everyday use, including longer vacation trips. Falling vehicle prices, lower operating costs, and a growing charging infrastructure are noticeably changing perceptions—and this is directly reflected in the market data.

The car remains a favorite for vacations

When it comes to vacation travel, Swiss people continue to prefer using their own cars. They particularly value the high level of flexibility once they arrive at their destination (63 %), the ease of transporting luggage (50 %), and the independence it offers in planning their trips (48 %). Even though most people will still be driving vehicles with conventional powertrains on this year’s trip to the coast, electric cars are becoming an increasingly attractive option for their next vehicle purchase.

Range anxiety is becoming less of a concern

For longer vacation trips, respondents expect an electric car to have a minimum range of about 630 kilometers on average. However, people who are generally open to buying an electric car in the future are significantly more receptive: They are already satisfied with an average range of just under 530 kilometers. At the same time, there is a high willingness to charge the car while on the road. The majority of respondents would have no problem accepting one or two charging stops on a roughly 600-kilometer trip to the coast.

«The discussion surrounding range has changed noticeably in recent years. Many people now view charging on the go as a normal part of a longer trip. Our findings show that electric cars are increasingly seen as suitable for everyday use, even for vacation trips,» says Alberto Sanz de Lama, Managing Director of Automotive at SMG Swiss Marketplace Group.

Cost and the environment remain the most important reasons for purchasing

Respondents cited lower operating costs and environmental and climate protection (55 % each) as the most important reasons for buying an electric car. Nearly one in two people also sees independence from fossil fuels as an important advantage (46 %). The average budget for an electric car is currently around CHF 39,000.

One of the biggest hurdles to buying used electric vehicles remains uncertainty about battery life. However, the study also points to a possible solution: a battery certificate significantly increases the willingness to purchase a used electric vehicle. As a pioneer in the Swiss market, AutoScout24 already allows users to include a standardized battery certificate with listings for used electric vehicles. This certificate transparently displays the battery’s «State of Health,» thereby building greater trust when purchasing used electric vehicles.

AutoScout24 data confirms the shift

The growing acceptance of electric vehicles is also reflected in the automotive market. Comparing the period immediately before the summer break (May 15 to June 15, 2026) with the same period the previous year, daily search queries for electric cars on AutoScout24 rose by 35 percent. The growth in concrete purchase intentions was even more pronounced: inquiries to sellers rose by 40 %. At the same time, the number of successful sales—as measured by deleted listings—increased by 16 %.

Price trends are likely to be a key driver. New electric vehicles became significantly cheaper within a year. The average asking price fell from around CHF 57,200 in June 2025 to around CHF 51,700 in June 2026—a decline of nearly 10 %. Used electric cars also became slightly more affordable, costing an average of about CHF 42,100, compared to CHF 43,300 the previous year.

«We are currently witnessing a turning point in the perception of electric cars. Interest is growing not only in theory but is also reflected very concretely in search queries, purchase inquiries, and sales. Falling prices and greater acceptance of the technology are providing additional momentum,» says Matthias Bischof, Director of Customer Business at AutoScout24.

Tesla in Zurich, Volvo in Bern: Switzerland is going electric—but in different ways

Despite the boom in demand across Switzerland, data from AutoScout24 reveals significant regional differences in the most popular models. Nationwide, the Tesla Model 3, the Skoda Enyaq iV, and the Audi Q4 e-tron are among the best-selling electric vehicles. A look at the cantons reveals differing preferences: In Zurich, the Tesla Model 3 is the clear sales leader, while in Bern, the Volvo EX30 tops the rankings. In Zug and Geneva, premium models such as the Porsche Taycan regularly make it to the top spots. In French-speaking Switzerland—for example, in Neuchâtel—European models such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and the VW ID.3 dominate. The analysis shows that while electric mobility is gaining ground throughout Switzerland, model preferences remain regionally specific.

Source: www.autoscout24.ch