The growing interest in electric cars in the Czech Republic is being driven by more affordable prices, a wider range of models and the development of the charging infrastructure. According to Pavel Havránek from the Transport Research Centre, replacing entrenched myths with objective data is key to further development.
Pavel Havránek, Director of the Mobility and Safety Division at the Transport Research Centre, was a guest on Sunday’s broadcast of Studio ČT24. The interview focused on current developments in the electric car market, the growing interest among Czech motorists, and the persistent myths that continue to influence decisions about buying an electric car.
Electric cars are becoming more affordable and the range on offer is expanding
According to Pavel Havránek, the growing demand is primarily driven by more affordable prices, a wider range of models and the public’s gradually increasing confidence in electric mobility.
“In recent years, the range of electric cars on offer has expanded significantly, and customers can now choose from a much wider portfolio of vehicles than before,” he said on the programme.
Although the Czech electric car market is growing, the pace of its expansion remains slower than in many other European countries. According to him, the purchase price of the vehicles still plays a significant role, as do lingering concerns about range and battery life.
Battery life is longer than most people think
One of the most common arguments against electric cars is the concern that traction batteries degrade rapidly. “However, the evidence to date shows that the actual situation is significantly more favourable,” noted Pavel Havránek.
At the same time, the Transport Research Centre has prepared an analysis based on data from several thousand batteries, which will offer an objective view of their lifespan and help to better assess the quality of second-hand electric cars (note: the study is due to be published in September this year).
Charging infrastructure is no longer the main obstacle
The interview also focused on the development of public charging infrastructure. According to Pavel Havránek, its availability no longer poses a significant barrier to the development of electromobility.
There are hundreds of public charging points in the Czech Republic, and their number continues to grow. At the same time, high-power charging stations are becoming more widespread, enabling significantly faster recharging, which further enhances the convenience for electric vehicle users.
Myths need to be replaced with data
According to Pavel Havránek, continuing to explain the facts and dispel widespread myths will be key to the further development of electromobility.
He pointed out, for example, that the average Czech driver travels approximately 30 kilometres a day. Most current electric cars, however, offer a real-world range many times greater than this, so daily charging is not necessary for everyday use.
“We need to change the way we think about using electric cars. If a car offers a range of 300 to 400 kilometres and we drive around 30 kilometres a day, there’s no need to worry about charging it every day,” concluded Pavel Havránek.
The interview confirms that electric mobility is gradually becoming a common feature of the automotive market in the Czech Republic. Alongside the expanding range of vehicles and the development of infrastructure, its further growth will also be significantly influenced by the availability of objective data and expert information to help the public make informed decisions.
You can listen to the full interview in the archive of the programme Studio ČT24 on Czech Television between 16:37 and 24:41.