Factors Behind ASEAN Citizens' Reluctance to Buy Electric Vehicles

According to PwC's eReadiness ASEAN Report 2025, there are various factors that make Southeast Asian citizens reluctant to buy electric vehicles.

The primary factor is the long battery charging time. Other respondents were not interested in buying electric vehicles due to uncertain battery life, limited range, and perceived higher costs.

Here are the top 10 factors hindering ASEAN respondents from buying electric vehicles:

1. Long battery charging duration: 18%
2. Uncertainty of battery life: 14%
3. Limited range: 12%
4. Higher initial cost compared to conventional vehicles: 10%
5. Limited charging stations: 8%
6. Limited parking spaces with charging facilities: 6%
7. Uncertainty of resale value: 6%
8. Low resale value: 5%
9. Safety concerns: 4%
10. Lack of a garage: 4%

PwC also found that only 11% of total respondents in Southeast Asia own electric vehicles. Among this group, the majority, or 90%, are satisfied.

"This satisfaction is primarily driven by relatively adequate charging duration, lower costs, and battery lifespan," PwC wrote in its report.

PwC conducted this survey among 2,904 respondents across six Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Vietnam.

It should be noted that this survey used a multiple-choice method, allowing respondents to select more than one answer.