According to a new European survey, commissioned by the tech parking solutions company EasyPark, a majority of Europeans are considering buying an electric vehicle as their next car or in the near future. This does mean that the demand for electric charging stations and available parking spaces will increase. More requirements are therefore being imposed on the infrastructure that makes electric driving possible. In addition, most motorists want a solution for finding a free parking space.
Commissioned by EasyPark, YouGov conducted a study into attitude and behavior around parking and driving. The results among 16.574 participants show that the interest in electric vehicles among Europeans is enormous. More than half (51%) say they are considering buying an electric car. However, according to drivers who currently already own an electric car, there are a number of challenges. A shortage of charging stations, it is difficult to find a charging station and charging that is too slow are the main ones.
“It is very positive that there is great interest in electric driving throughout Europe. This is also a clear indication that more demands will be made on the ecosystem that enables both ownership and use of electric vehicles. At EasyPark, we are proud to be part of this shift by providing the necessary solutions to make charging vehicles as convenient as possible”
Dutchman: paid parking is the biggest annoyance
Among the Dutch surveyed, paid parking appears to be the biggest annoyance (35 percent), closely followed by not being able to find a parking space (29 percent). Other annoyances that score high are the limited parking time (24 percent), parking fines (23 percent) and not being able to find a parking meter (22 percent). The innovations that the Dutch are most eagerly waiting for is the option to be guided to an available parking space by an app (40 percent), and the automatic start and stop of a parking meter while parking (36 percent).
Less search traffic thanks to parking apps
The current parking apps already ensure that parking pressure in city centers decreases. It is already possible to have the app search for the cheapest possible place or for an empty parking space. Marius Koerselman, Benelux director at EasyPark: “More than 20 percent of traffic in Amsterdam is so-called search traffic: motorists looking for a parking space. Knowing where free parking spaces are can significantly reduce crowding and improve the quality of life in a city.” With a parking app it is also increasingly possible – by means of license plate registration – to easily enter and exit a parking garage without first buying a ticket; the barrier opens automatically.
About a third (29%) of Europeans currently use parking apps to pay for parking. Not having to carry cash and the option to flexibly adjust the parking time are two of the most important advantages, according to the respondents. Among EasyPark users, the most appreciated feature is the ability to flexibly start, stop and extend a parking session, saving costs.
"Paid parking is the biggest annoyance among Dutch car drivers (35%), followed by not being able to find a free parking space (23%) and parking meter (22%)."
The results hardly surprise Koerselman. “In the past two years, the number of users of our parking apps – despite corona and the fact that we have started driving less – has increased by ten percent. More and more people are realizing that using a parking app saves costs.”
After all, with a parking app you never pay too much; you start the payment as soon as you park and turn off the meter as soon as you get back to your car. You can easily save about twenty percent. You will often also receive a notification when you threaten to exceed the set time. “That flexibility is highly valued,” says Koerselman.
About the research
Commissioned by EasyPark, YouGov conducted a study in September 2021 into attitude and behavior around parking and driving. Under the title 'Attitude and behaviors to parking and driving', 16.574 people, including 1010 Dutch people, aged 18 and older were surveyed online. Among other things, questions were asked about the biggest annoyances, most promising innovations, desired solutions, the use of parking apps and the method of payment.
About Easypark Group
EasyPark is a leading, fast-growing parking solutions tech company that helps motorists find parking, manage parking options and charge their electric vehicle. Our unique and state-of-the-art technology also helps businesses, cities, parking operators and property owners with administration, planning and data-driven management in more than 3.200 cities in 27 countries. We make life in the city better with every parking space. In the Netherlands, the Parkmobile, Park-line and EasyPark brands are active from the EasyPark Group.
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