New data reveals a shifting consumer sentiment among global motorists. According to automotive industry figures, an increasing share of current electric vehicle owners plan to purchase hybrid or extended-range vehicles for their next automotive investment, primarily driven by infrastructure bottlenecks at public charging stations.
The Bottom Line
- Market Shift: The HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 shows 28% of surveyed EV owners intend to buy a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) next, up 5 percentage points from 23% the prior year.
- Infrastructure Friction: Public charging unreliability remains a dominant operational hurdle, with 59% of respondents reporting encounters with broken public chargers and 54% abandoning trips due to charging anxiety.
- Regional Divergence: Buyer commitment to remaining fully electric varies heavily by geography, led by the United Kingdom compared to Italy.
Shifting Intentions in the Global EV Fleet
The latest data released by the HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 captures responses from over 4,000 drivers across the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia. Conducted online over the summer, the research measures consumer loyalty and future intent rather than immediate showroom transactions. While current owners have not necessarily rushed to trade in their existing cars, their stated purchase intentions for future garage additions signal that battery-electric models have not fully secured the long-term confidence of every early adopter.
The survey categorizes prospective alternatives broadly, incorporating classic hybrids, plug-in variants, and vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine dedicated solely to onboard power generation. This widening consideration set indicates that drivers are prioritizing operational flexibility over strict reliance on plug-in infrastructure. The 5 percentage point increase in hybrid preference over a single year highlights a measurable cooling of absolute electrification among active users.
Infrastructure Reliability and Range Realities
Behind the shifting purchase intentions lies persistent friction in daily operation. Public charging infrastructure reliability emerged as a primary friction point in the data. Exactly 59% of surveyed EV owners reported encountering broken or non-operational public chargers when attempting to replenish their batteries. Furthermore, 54% admitted they abandoned planned journeys at least once due to anxiety over locating a functional charging stall.
| Metric | 2025 Value | 2026 Value |
|---|---|---|
| Owners planning hybrid/EREV next purchase | 23% | 28% |
| Owners reporting broken public chargers | – | 59% |
| Owners canceling trips due to charging fears | – | 54% |
| Charging experience rated better than expected | – | 68% |
| Vehicle range exceeding initial expectations | – | 67% |
Despite these operational hurdles, consumer perceptions regarding core battery capabilities remain largely positive. A solid 68% of respondents rated their overall charging experience as better than anticipated prior to purchase. Similarly, 67% reported that vehicle range exceeded their pre-purchase expectations. The friction stems less from the foundational technology of the vehicles themselves and more from the unreliability of the external support ecosystem.
Geographic Disparities in Consumer Sentiment
Adoption intentions diverge significantly across national borders. In the United Kingdom, 87% of surveyed EV owners stated their next vehicle purchase will remain fully electric. In Germany, the percentage is 78%. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Italy records a 48% commitment among surveyed owners planning to stick with a battery-electric vehicle for their subsequent purchase.
