Kiwis feel ‘less stressed’ when driving an EV, survey suggests

Kiwi drivers reportedly feel “less stressed” when behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV), according to new research from rental car company Avis.

They are also said to experience a change in attitude, with 43 per cent of New Zealanders under 45 years of age saying they feel “calm and relaxed” when driving an EV thanks to their quietness and smoothness.

The research also revealed that just over one-quarter of our fellow countrymen (28 per cent) say that driving an electric car improves their mood, making them more mindful while driving.

This mirrors a similar report by DS in Britain, which found that 38 per cent of the 2000 drivers it surveyed were calmer behind the wheel when compared with those driving a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle. Again, it was the quietness that was the key to relaxation.

Back on local soil, it was also found that one in three of the surveyed New Zealand motorists prefer to drive an EV because it aligns with their views on sustainability.

For 22 per cent of Kiwis under 45, driving an electric car makes them feel “cool”, while 15 per cent of them feel as if they have bragging rights among friends and family.

“Our customers often say the first thing they notice about driving an EV is how quiet it is, and what our research shows is that it can have a positive effect on your well-being,” says Bryn McGoldrick, General Manager, Avis New Zealand.