“I didn't like them from the beginning, and I hate them now.” Changes in attitudes towards electric vehicles and phase-out policies for conventional cars

Achieving climate neutrality requires the widespread replacement of carbon-intensive technologies with low-carbon alternatives. For transport, this primarily means phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and scaling up climate-friendly modes of transport, such as electric vehicles (EVs). Public support is a key determinant of the likelihood of technology adoption and the feasibility of any climate policy. Although it is often studied at a single point in time, it is responsive to changes in the socio-political or techno-economic environment. In this study, we investigated citizens’ attitudes towards EVs, ICEVs, and ICEV phase-out policies between 2021 and 2024 in Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom (N = 14,090) using a repeated cross-sectional survey design. Given significant advancements in EV technology and infrastructure, as well as rising concerns about climate change, we hypothesised that EVs would be viewed increasingly positively and ICEVs increasingly negatively – and that these two trends would positively influence the acceptability of ICEV phase-out policies. Contrary to our expectations, support for ICEV phase-out policies declined notably in all countries. Perceptions of EVs became more negative, as highlighted by the statement of one respondent in the title, while ICEVs gained support. Nevertheless, technology-specific beliefs, such as a technology's contribution to climate change or its role in providing jobs and economic stability, were strongly associated with policy support. Finally, we found no evidence for the existence of a positive social influence or familiarity effect. These findings caution against blindly relying on positive feedback effects to accelerate the energy transition, and call for policies that recognize the complexities of public opinion as a potential transition barrier. • We conducted a repeated cross-sectional survey in Australia, Germany, and the UK between 2021 and 2024. • Views of electric vehicles (EVs) became less favourable, views of conventional cars (ICEVs) more favourable. • Less favourable views of EVs were explained by environmental concerns and costs. • Support for ICEV phase-out policies was strongly influenced by technology-specific beliefs. • Policy opponents also questioned the feasibility and legitimacy of the policy intervention.