The enthusiasm for electric cars in Belgium seems to be diminishing, as 42% of households now express a reluctance to switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle, according to a survey

commissioned by BNP Paribas Fortis. The survey, conducted among 2,000 Belgians, reveals that 37% of respondents aim to make the switch by 2029, a decline from 47% recorded a year earlier. The rising percentage of those uninterested (+7%) can be attributed in part to many early adopters having already purchased electric cars.

The survey highlights that confusion among motorists about the choice of drivetrain and doubts about the utility of electric cars contribute to the waning interest. Two-thirds of Belgians view the European Union's decision to ban new cars with combustion engines by 2035 as a "bad or even very bad decision."

Notably, the erosion of belief in electric cars as the future is observed across Flanders (40% wanting to switch by 2029, down from 51%) and Wallonia (30%, down from 42%). Conversely, Brussels shows a reverse trend, with 47% expressing a desire to switch before 2029, compared to 41% a year earlier.

Respondents often cite the autonomy of electric cars and the high purchase price as drawbacks, contributing to "range anxiety." Despite these concerns, one in six Belgians has already purchased an electric or plug-in hybrid car, with most expressing satisfaction with their choice.

In the period from January to October last year, Europe witnessed more new electric car registrations than diesel cars for the first time, with significant increases in Belgium (147.3%) and Denmark (100.7%). Photo by jepoirrier (Jean-Etienne Minh-Duy Poirrier), Wikimedia commons.