Defining a new set of criteria for electric vehicle selection

In the last few years, due to the greater mobility, the number of passenger cars in Europe has been constantly rising. With the growth of motorization level, the impact on traffic safety and the environment cannot be neglected: rapid increase in motorization levels is associated with slow decrease in fatality rates; also vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), that still represent the largest number of vehicles in the fleet, require the combustion of carbon-based petroleum fuels causing CO2 emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been identified as effective and popular way of decarbonizing road traffic, although the concept of zero exhaust emissions in the case of these vehicles depends solely on the way electricity is produced. Electrification of transport sector has become the most common goal of government policies worldwide. In addition, automotive industry is completely focused on meeting the requirements of vehicle buyers by offering a large number of different models of electric vehicles that differ in the type of powertrain, equipment, etc. As the offer on the market is increasing, the choice of EVs can lead potential buyers to a dilemma when deciding on the purchase of a specific type of EV vehicle. Moreover, different buyers have different demands and a large number of criteria, beside those related to safety and economic, may come into consideration when choosing a suitable EV. So, the main goal of this paper is to define valid set of criteria for the purchase of a passenger EV.