Home Energy and Vehicle Consumer Preferences
Cost is a deciding factor for consumers’ home energy choices, whether adopting green energy such as solar, switching utility providers, or using a smart meter.
Reasons for Not Installing Solar in the Next 2 Years
- Cost is too high to be possible: 48%
- Can’t see the value for the cost: 36%
- Don’t think it would make a difference: 29%
- Don’t own the property: 26%
- Don’t know enough about it: 22%
- Not available in my area: 18%
- Not interested: 15%
- Other: 2%
When considering switching home energy providers, transparent pricing is the main priority according to half (49%) of respondents. There is also significant interest in a better digital experience, such as an easy-to-use app or online customer service.
Factors That Would Cause Consumers to Switch Home Energy Providers
- Cheaper/more transparent pricing: 49%
- Better customer service: 36%
- More environmentally friendly/green energy: 34%
- Easier to switch: 32%
- Better digital experience (app, online customer service, etc.): 29%
- Fewer or shorter blackout periods: 27%
- Fewer or shorter brownout periods: 23%
- More reliable service: 22%
- Other: 13%
70% of people said they would choose to purchase energy from green sources, showing a widespread commitment to sustainability. However, 41% were unsure of the options available to them through their utility providers.
Do You Purchase Energy from Renewable Sources from Your Utility Provider?
- Yes: 30%
- No: 29%
- Unsure: 41%
Does Your Utility Provider Offer Options to Buy Energy from Green Sources?
- Yes: 29%
- No: 30%
- Unsure: 41%
While most people (71%) don’t currently use a smart device for managing or tracking home energy, among those who do, the majority (53%) use them to save money, and 34% use a smart meter to reduce their carbon footprint.
Do You Use Smart Devices to Manage or Track Home Energy Consumption?
Reasons to Use Smart Devices
- To save money: 53%
- To reduce carbon footprint: 34%
- To make life easier: 32%
- To track energy usage: 31%
- To be more sustainable: 29%
- To get more accurate bills: 28%
- To get more control over energy usage: 27%
- To get real-time data: 25%
- To get alerts about usage: 23%
Reasons for Not Using Smart Devices
- Don’t see the value: 38%
- Don’t know enough about them: 36%
- Too expensive: 32%
- Not interested: 29%
- Not available in my area: 18%
- Other: 13%
The trend towards more environmentally friendly vehicles continues, but concerns about battery range and price will slow the widespread adoption of EVs.
Vehicle Ownership
- EV Ownership: 16%
- Hybrid Ownership: 27%
EV and Hybrid Ownership by Age
- 18-24: EV 20%, Hybrid 29%
- 25-34: EV 19%, Hybrid 28%
- 35-44: EV 16%, Hybrid 27%
- 45-54: EV 14%, Hybrid 26%
- 55-64: EV 13%, Hybrid 25%
- 65+: EV 12%, Hybrid 24%
Probability of Purchasing or Leasing an EV or Hybrid for Next Vehicle
- Definitely: 11%
- Very probably: 19%
- Probably: 21%
- Might or might not: 25%
- Probably not: 13%
- Very probably not: 7%
- Definitely not: 4%
Reasons for Considering an EV or Hybrid
- Lower fuel/energy costs: 53%
- Better for the environment: 52%
- Subsidies or incentives for purchase: 37%
- Reliable battery range and length of charge: 29%
Expectations for vehicles include pre-fitted connected technology, with almost all people (93%) disclosing at least one connected feature they want in their next vehicle.
Connected Features Important to Have in Next Vehicle
- Backup or rear-view camera: 49%
- Bluetooth or wireless connectivity: 46%
- Navigation system: 45%
- Remote start: 44%
- Wi-Fi hotspot: 41%
- Connected smartphone apps: 39%
- Voice-activated controls: 36%
- Connected driving assistance: 34%
- Remote diagnostics: 32%
- Other: 7%
The dealership remains the preferred purchase channel for vehicles. Nearly 60% of respondents prefer to physically visit a dealership over purchasing online.
Purchase Channel Preference
- Visiting a retailer or dealership in person: 32%
- Would prefer to do as much as possible online, but visit a dealership for final paperwork: 25%
- Do everything online, including paperwork and delivery: 18%
- Do everything at a dealership: 15%
- Other: 10%
People expect technology from their smartphones to be standard in new vehicles, and half (50%) of respondents are willing to pay more for it, with the UAE being the most willing to pay a premium.
The Same Technology That Is Available on a Smartphone Should Be Standard Features in a Vehicle
- Strongly agree: 31%
- Agree: 41%
- Neither agree nor disagree: 17%
- Disagree: 6%
- Strongly disagree: 3%
Willingness to Pay More for a Vehicle with Connected Technology Features
- 50% are willing to pay more
Willingness to Pay More for Connected Features
- Backup or rear-view camera: 41% Yes, 45% No, 14% Unsure
- Bluetooth or wireless connectivity: 41% Yes, 45% No, 14% Unsure
- Navigation system: 40% Yes, 46% No, 14% Unsure
- Remote start: 39% Yes, 47% No, 14% Unsure
- Wi-Fi hotspot: 38% Yes, 48% No, 14% Unsure
- Connected smartphone apps: 37% Yes, 48% No, 15% Unsure
- Voice-activated controls: 36% Yes, 48% No, 16% Unsure
- Connected driving assistance: 35% Yes, 48% No, 17% Unsure
- Remote diagnostics: 34% Yes, 48% No, 18% Unsure
The shift to digital is slower when it comes to physical car purchases. 87% of people are still reliant on their dealer. However, a growing number will increasingly prefer to complete the initial steps of their purchase journey online.
Which Parts of the Car Buying Journey Have You Done Online?
- Compare vehicles (make, type, model, reviews, etc.): 49%
- Read about vehicle specs and features: 46%
- Read reviews about the vehicle: 44%
- Research financing options: 28%
- Research insurance options: 26%
- Negotiate a price: 19%
- Request a quote: 18%
- Apply for financing or insurance: 17%
- Apply for dealership incentives: 17%
- Reserve a vehicle: 17%
- Purchase accessories: 17%
- Arrange trade-in of old vehicle: 15%
- Purchase a vehicle: 13%
Preference for Online vs. Dealership for Car Buying Steps
- Compare vehicles: Online 43%, At dealership 11%
- Read about vehicle specs and features: Online 41%, At dealership 12%
- Read reviews about the vehicle: Online 41%, At dealership 12%
- Research financing options: Online 32%, At dealership 19%
- Research insurance options: Online 31%, At dealership 19%
- Negotiate a price: Online 23%, At dealership 28%
- Request a quote: Online 22%, At dealership 27%
- Apply for financing or insurance: Online 21%, At dealership 28%
- Apply for dealership incentives: Online 21%, At dealership 27%
- Reserve a vehicle: Online 20%, At dealership 27%
- Purchase accessories: Online 20%, At dealership 27%
- Arrange trade-in of old vehicle: Online 19%, At dealership 28%
- Purchase a vehicle: Online 18%, At dealership 29%
Key Insights
- 70% of people said they would choose to purchase energy from green sources, showing a widespread commitment to sustainability. However, 41% were unsure of the options available to them through their utility providers.
- The trend towards more environmentally friendly vehicles continues, but concerns about battery range and price will slow the widespread adoption of EVs.
- People expect tech from their smartphones to be standard in new vehicles, and half (50%) of respondents are willing to pay more for it, with the UAE most willing to pay a premium.
- The shift to digital is slower when it comes to physical car purchases. 87% of people are still reliant on their dealer, but a growing number will increasingly prefer to complete the initial steps of their purchase journey online.