A new study by AutoScout24 and YouGov shows that electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive to Swiss consumers, even for longer holiday journeys. Most respondents are willing to accept one or two charging stops on such trips, while demand for electric vehicles on AutoScout24 continues to grow: compared to the previous year, searches increased by 35%, contact enquiries by 40%, and sales by 16%.
As the summer holiday season approaches, more and more Swiss consumers are considering electric vehicles for longer journeys. While the car remains the preferred mode of transport for holidays, EVs are increasingly being perceived as a practical option for everyday use. Lower operating costs and environmental considerations are the main reasons for choosing an electric vehicle, while falling vehicle prices are providing an additional boost. This trend is also reflected in the automotive market, where demand for EVs continues to rise. At the same time, AutoScout24 data reveals regional differences in the most popular models – from the Tesla Model 3 in Zurich and the Volvo EX30 in Bern to the Porsche Taycan in Zug and Geneva.
The car remains the preferred choice for holidays
Swiss consumers still prefer travelling by car when going on holiday. The main advantages are flexibility at the destination (63%), ease of transporting luggage (50%), and independence when planning the trip (48%). Although vehicles with conventional powertrains will still dominate journeys to the seaside this summer, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive when consumers consider their next vehicle purchase.
Range anxiety is becoming less important
For longer holiday trips, respondents expect an electric vehicle to offer a minimum range of around 630 kilometres on average. However, people who are generally open to purchasing an EV in the future are significantly more flexible: they are already satisfied with an average range of just under 530 kilometres. At the same time, willingness to charge en route is high. Most respondents would comfortably accept one or two charging stops during a journey of around 600 kilometres to the seaside.
“The discussion around range has changed noticeably in recent years. Many people now see charging along the way as a normal part of a longer journey. Our findings show that electric vehicles are increasingly being perceived as suitable for holiday travel as well,” says Alberto Sanz de Lama, Managing Director Automotive at SMG Swiss Marketplace Group.
Cost and sustainability remain the key purchase drivers
The most important reasons for purchasing an electric vehicle are lower operating costs and environmental and climate considerations (both cited by 55% of respondents). Almost one in two respondents also see independence from fossil fuels as a major advantage (46%). The average budget currently planned for an electric vehicle is around CHF 39,000.
One of the biggest barriers to purchasing a used electric vehicle remains uncertainty about battery life. The study also highlights a potential solution: a battery certificate significantly increases consumers’ willingness to purchase a used EV. As a pioneer in the Swiss market, AutoScout24 already allows sellers to add a standardized battery certificate to used EV listings. This certificate transparently indicates the battery’s health status (“State of Health”), helping to build trust and confidence when purchasing a used electric vehicle.
AutoScout24 data confirms the trend
Growing openness towards electric mobility is also reflected in market activity. Comparing the period immediately before the summer holidays (15 May to 15 June 2026) with the same period a year earlier, daily searches for electric vehicles on AutoScout24 increased by 35%. Growth was even stronger when it came to concrete purchase intentions: contact enquiries to sellers rose by 40%, while successful sales – measured by deleted listings – increased by 16%. This momentum builds on a trend that first became evident in spring, when demand for electric vehicles began to rise sharply.
One important driver is likely to be pricing. New electric vehicles became significantly more affordable over the course of a year. The average listing price fell from around CHF 57,200 in June 2025 to around CHF 51,700 in June 2026 – a decline of almost 10%. Used electric vehicles also became slightly more affordable, with average prices falling from CHF 43,300 to CHF 42,100 over the same period.
“We are currently witnessing a turning point in how electric vehicles are perceived. Interest in EVs is no longer only theoretical – it is clearly visible in searches, purchase enquiries and sales. Falling prices and greater acceptance of the technology are providing additional momentum,” says Matthias Bischof, Director Customer Business at AutoScout24.
Tesla in Zurich, Volvo in Bern: Switzerland goes electric – but differently
Despite strong nationwide demand growth, AutoScout24 data reveals clear regional differences in model preferences. Across Switzerland, the Tesla Model 3, Skoda Enyaq iV and Audi Q4 e-tron are among the most successful electric vehicles. The analysis is based on leads and listings successfully removed from the marketplace and shows which models are most in demand and sell particularly well in different regions. A closer look at the cantons highlights distinct preferences:
- Zurich: The Tesla Model 3 is the clear sales leader.
- Bern: The Volvo EX30 ranks among the most popular EVs and tops the local rankings.
- Zug and Geneva: Premium models such as the Porsche Taycan regularly occupy leading positions.
- French-speaking Switzerland: In cantons such as Neuchâtel, European models like the Audi Q4 e-tron and VW ID.3 dominate.
The analysis shows that while electric mobility is becoming firmly established across Switzerland, model preferences remain strongly influenced by regional characteristics.
Data basis
The survey data is based on a representative online study conducted by YouGov on behalf of AutoScout24 between 3 and 8 June 2026. A total of 1,008 respondents aged 18 to 79 from German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland participated. All respondents use the internet at least once a week and hold a valid driving licence. For the internal market analysis, daily averages of searches, leads and deleted listings for new and used electric vehicles on AutoScout24 were evaluated. The period from 15 May to 15 June 2026 was compared with the corresponding period in 2025. The cantonal analysis is based on leads and deleted listings for new and used electric vehicles on AutoScout24 between 1 January and 1 June 2026. Average prices for new and used electric vehicles refer to the period from 15 January to 15 June 2026 and were compared with the same period in the previous year.
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Marleen Seilheimer
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