71% of the Swiss population do not plan to buy an electric car, t…

Each year, the online comparator bonus.ch draws up an inventory of the car insurance in Switzerland. More than 2,900 users took the time to respond to a survey covering the following categories: clarity of the information provided, claims management, reimbursement time, price-performance ratio and customer service. The answers were converted into a score between 1 and 6, the best score being 6. Here are the main findings from the survey.

Electric car: the point in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the electric car market continues to grow. Last year, of all new passenger vehicle registrations, 17.7% were fully electric (compared to 13.2% in 2021).

This development has been boosted in particular by public aid, but could well be slowed down by the new measures of the Federal Council, which has decided to abolish the tax exemption for electric vehicles. From 2024, these will thus be subject to the ordinary tax of 4%.

In addition to this decision, the incentive measures now tend to disappear. Depending on the cantons, direct subsidies for the purchase of a rechargeable model are becoming increasingly rare or have been completely abolished.

These new provisions are likely to impact the purchasing intentions of the Swiss population, which is already struggling to be convinced by the electric model. In 2023, 71% of respondents do not plan to buy a plug-in car, compared to 22% who are considering an acquisition and 7% who already own an electric vehicle.

These figures have changed little since 2021. People in possession of an electric model have increased from 3.2% in 2021, to 5.5% in 2022 and to 7.1% in 2023. Conversely, the ratio of the population having no no purchase intention remained above 70%.

Electric car: negative points

Filing for ordinary tax from 2024 and the lack of financial support could have a negative impact on the intention to purchase an electric model, insofar as almost a quarter of respondents mention the purchase price as the biggest negative point.

The question of ecology is obviously at the heart of the debate. Thus, the environmental impact of batteries (especially during manufacturing) is the main disadvantage for 25% of respondents. The other negative elements highlighted are the lack of charging stations (20%) and the limited autonomy (19%).

Electric car: positive points

The ecological footprint remains the main positive point (33%) put forward by the respondents, even if this ratio is down compared to last year (39%). The other advantages mentioned are the economic side (cheaper to use) at 16%, the low maintenance required (simplicity and reliability of the system) at 13% and finally the silent character (less noise pollution) at 11%. .

The percentage of people who do not see a positive point in the electric car is up compared to 2022 (23% against 20%).

Electric car: regional differences

The French-speaking Swiss show the greatest interest in electric cars, since 7.9% of them own one and 23.5% indicate an intention to buy. Conversely, the German Swiss seem the most reluctant, with nearly 76% not planning to buy a rechargeable model.

Car and loyalty insurance: 9.4% of policyholders changed provider in 2023

Over the past year, just under 10% of policyholders have opted for a change of provider. A rather high percentage compared to the figures of recent years and in particular of 2022 (only 6.7% change).

Car insurance: reasons for loyalty

The quality of services (47%) remains the main reason for loyalty, followed by the level of the premium (27%), the services granted (20%) and exceeding the notice period (6%).

Car insurance: reasons for the change

Respondents mainly explain their change by the level of premiums (39%), by the purchase of a new vehicle (22%) and by competitive offers (17%).

Overall satisfaction 2023 – Swiss average

The Swiss population is generally satisfied with their car insurance. In 2023, the average satisfaction rating is 5.2 out of 6, mention “good”. The rating differences between the different service providers are once again relatively low, proof of the intense competition that reigns on the car insurance market in Switzerland.

This year, Swiss Mobiliar and Vaudoise are the most popular auto insurance companies. They obtain an overall score of 5.4, mention “good”.

ELVIA and smile.direct occupy 2nd place in this general ranking with a score of 5.3, while Helvetia and TCS complete the podium (5.2).

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