Chabot Mobility on Feb. 10 released the results of a consumer perception survey on electric vehicles (EVs) and Autonomous Driving (FSD) conducted with 450 people planning to buy a new car in 2026. The findings showed EVs and Autonomous Driving technologies have entered the mainstream, but safety and brand trust still play a key role in actual purchase decisions.
In response to a question about willingness to buy an EV, 75.1% of all respondents answered positively. The most common response was that EVs are among the options under review at 41.9%, followed by actively considering at 18.4% and definitely choosing an EV at 9.4%. Only 30.3% said they are not considering EVs.
There were clear differences by age group. In their 20s, willingness to buy an EV was 100%, and in their 30s, 85.4% responded positively. By contrast, acceptance of EVs was relatively lower among those in their 50s and those 60 and older, revealing a generational perception gap.
The top reason for considering an EV was saving on charging costs compared with fuel costs at 62.5%. That was followed by government subsidies at 41.3% and tax benefits at 32.7%, indicating that expense reduction factors are the main drivers. Latest technology and performance came in at 29.3%, advanced features such as Autonomous Driving at 24.5%, and eco-friendly values at 23.1% were relatively lower priorities.
On the other hand, the top factor causing hesitation was a lack of charging infrastructure at 45.3%. That was followed by safety concerns such as fires at 34.9%, charging time at 32.8%, battery lifespan and replacement expense at 32.3%, range anxiety at 29.3%, and vehicle price burden at 26.7%. Concerns about usage environment and safety are still acting as barriers to purchase.
Regarding the government's EV subsidies policy, most respondents said it affects their purchase decisions. Somewhat affects accounted for 37.9%, and very significant effect accounted for 29.6%, with about 67% of respondents recognizing subsidies as a key decision factor.
Perceptions of Chinese EV brands showed a mix of interest and caution. The most common response, at 38.6%, was that there is interest but low trust, while 19.1% said they offer excellent performance for the price. Only 5.8% rated their technology and quality as strong.
Price competitiveness was overwhelmingly cited as the appeal of Chinese brands at 64.3%. On the other hand, concerns included quality and durability at 63.2%, lack of after-sales service and service networks at 60.6%, and safety and battery fire risks at 54.2%. Securing trust is identified as the key task for gaining a foothold in the market.
In a survey on willingness to pay extra for Autonomous Driving features, the largest share at 23.5% said they were not willing to pay, but 76.5% of all respondents indicated they were willing to pay some additional expense. The preferred price range was 3 million to under 5 million won at 40.5%, while 10 million won or more was only 6.5%.
A Chabot Mobility official said, "The EV market is rapidly shifting beyond an eco-friendly image to a mainstream choice evaluated in terms of maintenance cost savings and total cost of ownership," adding, "For both Chinese EV brands and Autonomous Driving technologies, not only price competitiveness but also convincing consumers on trust and safety will be crucial to converting interest into purchases."