Norman, you’re thinking of switching from a petrol SUV to an electric car. What are your reasons?
The distances I travel per day and per year are manageable and easy to calculate. I don’t need a car with a combustion engine for this. Of course, it’s an advantage that I can charge the battery at work, and I also want to make my contribution to reducing local emissions by switching to an electric car. And in the canton of Zurich where I live, I’ll benefit from tax exemption.
Which car are you thinking of?
I’d like to buy an Audi Q4 e-tron or an Audi e-tron Sportback. I like the design of these cars. That’s just as important as ever. And the range sounds good to me.
What do you find most fascinating about electric mobility?
The technical aspects of an electric car are hugely impressive. Take the recuperation, for example, which you can use to recover braking energy and extend the range. I’m convinced that charging will keep on getting easier and will be possible almost everywhere. So much progress has also been made with the range covered by electric cars.
Do you also expect to see some difficulties?
Having to plan longer journeys in advance is definitely an adjustment, but not such a serious challenge. I’ll be curious to see how long and very cold winters will affect the electric car and, in particular, its range. That could perhaps indeed be a challenge. The installation of a wall boxes in rented accommodation is definitely an issue too, and one that owners still don’t all seem to be aware of.
Lots of buyers who are undecided are concerned about the charging situation and the range. What do you think?
The sector is still in its infancy when it comes to range. This will keep on improving, but I’m already happy with the situation within Switzerland. For long journeys you have to be mentally prepared for needing to stop and charge, and plan in some time for this. I have no problem with the charging situation personally. But those who don’t have the possibility to charge at work, and live in rented accommodation, are dependent on their landlord’s willingness to install a wall box.
