{"id":17829,"date":"2022-01-11T12:16:50","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T11:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/?page_id=17829"},"modified":"2025-11-27T13:47:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T12:47:56","slug":"the-electric-option-relieves-some-tensions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/lobservatoire-cetelem-de-lautomobile\/the-bold-trajectory-of-the-suv\/the-electric-option-relieves-some-tensions","title":{"rendered":"The electric option relieves some tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Consumption alert<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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As we have already seen, SUVs are not considered fuel-efficient. However, fuel consumption is a topic of concern even for SUV owners, at a time when petrol and diesel prices are soaring. 34% of owners cite fuel consumption as the main factor that caused them to hesitate before buying an SUV, a sentiment expressed most strongly by the over<\/span>\u2011<\/span>55s <\/span>(Fig 20)<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This is a particularly delicate subject in the emerging countries, but also in Italy and Spain. Respondents in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan and Norway, where the electric car is king, are less troubled by this issue. However, this concern appears to be grounded primarily in financial, rather than environmental interests. Only 23% of SUV owners were hesitant to buy such a vehicle because of its potential environmental impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Fig 20 – Reasons for hesitation when buying an SUV\n <\/p>\n \n \n Download this infographic for your presentations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Shows\n \n the infographic lists the reasons given by SUV owners who hesitated between an SUV and another type of vehicle. \n\nData:\n– Concerns about fuel consumption: 34%\n– Perceived high price: 32%\n– Concerns about vehicle size: 28%\n– Concerns about practicality in urban use: 24%\n– Environmental impact: 23%\n– Aesthetic or equipment doubts: 21%\n– Safety concerns for other road users: 21%\n– Concern about the image associated with SUVs: 19%\n– Other reasons: 6%\n\nMain takeaway: fuel consumption, cost, and size are the most cited concerns.\n\nSource: L\u2019Observatoire Cetelem de l\u2019Automobile 2022.\n <\/span>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The magic of electricity helps the SUV\u2019s cause<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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But if there has to be an environmental impact, motorists are clear on how to reduce it. 77% believe that producing electric or hybrid SUVs would help achieve this goal. In the emerging nations, as well as in Poland, this is a solution that prompts even more enthusiasm, with close to 90% voicing this opinion in some countries and an even greater proportion in others. Conversely, the response in countries such as Belgium, France and Germany is a little more ambivalent, with less than 60% favouring this approach <\/span>(Fig 21)<\/strong>. Interestingly, in previous editions of L\u2019Observatoire Cetelem de l\u2019Automobile we had already seen these three countries clustered together when it came to environmental issues. This clustering stems from their maturity regarding this topic and their awareness that environmental impact is not linked purely to energy consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Fig 21 – Perceived environmental benefit of electric SUVs\n <\/p>\n \n \n Download this infographic for your presentations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Indicates\n \n the infographic shows the proportion of respondents who believe producing electric or hybrid SUVs contributes to reducing environmental impact. Percentages include \u201cyes, somewhat\u201d and \u201cyes, definitely.\u201d\n\nA world map displays each country with its flag and the corresponding percentage.\n\n\n\nData:\n\n\n\nSouth Africa: 87%\nGermany: 57%\nBelgium: 58%\nBrazil: 92%\nChina: 87%\nSpain: 82%\nUnited States: 79%\nFrance: 59%\nItaly: 81%\nJapan: 79%\nMexico: 91%\nNorway: 65%\nNetherlands: 62%\nPoland: 91%\nPortugal: 81%\nUnited Kingdom: 70%\nTurkey: 89%\n\n\n\n\nMain takeaway: belief in environmental benefits is high across all countries, although with noticeable variation.\n\n\n\nSource: L\u2019Observatoire Cetelem de l\u2019Automobile 2022.\n <\/span>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Electric SUVs – Combustion engine city cars: 1-0 <\/b><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Electrical power again demonstrates its superior environmental credentials when electric SUVs are pitched against combustion engine city cars. This is something of a mismatch, with the former receiving an average of 71% of the vote and the latter 29% <\/span>(Fig 22)<\/strong>. Here, the geographical divide revealed earlier reappears, with respondents in the emerging nations wholeheartedly supporting electric SUVs and the aforementioned trio, along with Norway, remaining more sceptical. Germany is the only country in which combustion engine city cars prevail over electric SUVs, while France is just 1 point away from producing the same result. The Iberian peninsula also stands apart, with Spain and Portugal producing scores similar to those of the emerging nations.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Fig 22 – Environmental perception of vehicle types\n <\/p>\n \n \n Download this infographic for your presentations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Shows\n \n The infographic presents, across 17 countries, which of two vehicle types is viewed as the most environmentally friendly: \u201csmall cars and sedans with combustion engines\u201d or \u201celectric SUVs.\u201d \n\nThe averages displayed are 29% for combustion cars and 71% for electric SUVs.\n\nData by country:\nSouth Africa: 18% combustion, 82% electric SUVs\nGermany: 53% \/ 47%\nBelgium: 44% \/ 56%\nBrazil: 10% \/ 90%\nChina: 19% \/ 81%\nSpain: 16% \/ 84%\nUnited States: 39% \/ 61%\nFrance: 49% \/ 51%\nItaly: 31% \/ 69%\nJapan: 25% \/ 75%\nMexico: 13% \/ 87%\nNorway: 41% \/ 59%\nNetherlands: 40% \/ 60%\nPoland: 26% \/ 74%\nPortugal: 17% \/ 83%\nUnited Kingdom: 36% \/ 64%\nTurkey: 13% \/ 87%\n\nMain takeaway: electric SUVs are considered more environmentally friendly in most countries, with significant variations between regions.\n\nSource: L\u2019Observatoire Cetelem de l\u2019Automobile 2022.\n <\/span>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The response from manufacturers aligns with expectations<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The growing interest expressed by motorists towards electric vehicles also prompts them to hold a rather favourable view of carmakers\u2019 efforts to offer more hybrid or electric cars. According to 83% of those surveyed, this shows that manufacturers are keen to prepare for the future. That means anticipating future traffic restrictions in cities, carbon neutrality targets and the gradual phasing out of combustion vehicles.  <\/span>Once again, with the exception of Spain, Italy and Poland, the Western countries are slightly less likely to be of this belief. <\/span>An almost identical percentage of motorists (82%) believe that manufacturers are relying on these types of vehicle to meet the increasingly stringent environmental targets set for them <\/span>(Fig 23)<\/strong>. On this topic, the answers of the different countries are more homogeneous than for the previous item.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Fig 23 – Perceived motivations of SUV manufacturers\n <\/p>\n \n \n Download this infographic for your presentations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Shows\n \n the infographic presents, as a 17-country average, the proportion of respondents who believe manufacturers have different motivations when offering hybrid or electric SUVs. Values include responses \u201cyes, somewhat\u201d and \u201cyes, definitely.\u201d\n\nData:\n– Preparing for the future (urban restrictions, carbon neutrality goals, phase-out of combustion engines): 83%\n– Meeting environmental targets set for them: 82%\n– Using it to justify higher prices: 79%\n– Responding to motorists\u2019 expectations: 78%\nImproving their ecological image: 76%\n\nMain takeaway: respondents attribute multiple motivations to manufacturers, combining regulatory, environmental, and commercial considerations.\n\nSource: L\u2019Observatoire Cetelem de l\u2019Automobile 2022.\n <\/span>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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While 78% are also of the opinion that manufacturers are catering for the expectations of motorists, this relatively positive consensus is clouded by two counterpoints. 79% are of the belief that carmakers are using these vehicles as an excuse to raise prices and 76% believe that they are a way of easing their conscience. Here, the traditional geographical dichotomy collapses, giving way to clusters we have not seen before. The Brazilians, the French and the Poles are united in denouncing what they perceive as greed on the part of manufacturers. Meanwhile, the Japanese and Chinese are more charitable in their attitudes. The French, together with the Spanish, Turks, Brazilians, Poles and Japanese, are the most likely to condemn manufacturers for cynically seeking to ease their conscience. The Norwegians, Dutch and Portuguese, on the other hand, are less suspicious in this regard.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The SUV goes electric<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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While the automotive market has been enriched by \u201cpure electric players\u201d that have designed and launched their own SUVs, the next three years will see many vehicles of this type from other carmakers receive the fully electric treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Fig 24 – Availability of electric versions of SUVs, 2022\u20132024\n <\/p>\n \n \n Download this infographic for your presentations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Lists\n \n the table presents SUV models scheduled for release between 2022 and 2024. For each model, the graphic indicates whether a thermal\/PHEV version exists, whether a fully electric version exists, and the planned release year.\n\nStructured data (complete but concise):\n\n2022 models:\nRenault Kadjar (thermal\/PHEV), Peugeot 4008 (electric), Alfa Romeo Urban SUV (electric), Alfa Romeo Tonale (thermal\/PHEV), BMW X8 (electric), Ford Evos (2022), Lexus LF-Z (electric), Mercedes EQS SUV (electric), Mitsubishi Outlander (thermal\/PHEV), Porsche Macan-E (electric), Skoda Enyaq IV GT (electric), Smart SUV (2022), Subaru Solterra (electric).\n\n2023 models:\nRenault Morphoz (electric), Peugeot 3008 (electric), Alpine SUV (electric), Audi Q2 e-tron (electric), Audi Q5 e-tron (electric), Cupra Tavascan (electric), Dacia Duster (thermal\/PHEV), Fiat compact SUV (electric), Volvo XC100 (electric).\n\n2024 models:\nHyundai Tucson (electric), Renault 4L (electric), Peugeot e-1008 (electric), DS9 Crossback (2024), Dacia Bigster (thermal\/PHEV), Opel Monza-E (electric).\n\nMain takeaway: most models expected in 2023\u20132024 include a fully electric version.\n\nSource: C-Ways based on manufacturer data.\n <\/span>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n Fig 25 – Planned phase-out dates for combustion vehicle sales\n <\/p>\n \n \n Download this infographic for your presentations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \"Shows\n \n the map presents the announced timelines by various countries regarding the end of new combustion or hybrid vehicle sales. Countries are grouped into three deadlines\u20142025, 2030, and 2035.\n\nData:\n\u2022 2025: Norway\n\u2022 2030: Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Washington State (USA)\n\u2022 2035: China, Japan, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts (USA)\n\u2022 No defined date: South Africa, Mexico, Turkey\n\nMain takeaway: most highlighted countries plan phase-outs in 2035, while some have not yet announced a target.\n\nSource: C-Ways based on government announcements.\n <\/span>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Consumption alert As we have already seen, SUVs are not considered fuel-efficient. However, fuel consumption is a topic of concern even for SUV owners, at a time when petrol and diesel prices are soaring. 34% of owners cite fuel consumption as the main factor that caused them to hesitate before buying an SUV, a sentiment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1908,"featured_media":20058,"parent":17790,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"t-etude-chapitre.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17829","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1908"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17829"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33068,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17829\/revisions\/33068"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17790"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observatoirecetelem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}