Forty percent of drivers say they would likely purchase an electric model for their next vehicle, according to a global survey by the German data analytics company Dalia Research. While respondents also cited issues such as charging infrastructure and recharging time as disadvantages to electric vehicle ownership, the company says these worries are becoming less of an issue.

The survey collected responses from 43,034 respondents in 52 countries in February. These respondents were planning to buy a vehicle within the next five years.

Forty-four percent of those who were looking for a replacement for their current vehicle said they would likely get an electric vehicle, along with 36 percent of those who said they have never owned a vehicle.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents—65 percent—said they believed an advantage of electric vehicles is that they pollute less than gas-powered vehicles. Other advantages cited by respondents included a reduced reliance on fossil fuels (43 percent), quiet operation (37 percent), lower operating costs (29 percent), and modernity (23 percent).

Fourteen percent said they believe electric vehicles require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles, while 10 percent said they offer privileges such as better parking spaces. Only 8 percent said an advantage of electric vehicles is that they are fun to drive.

Asked about the disadvantages of electric vehicles, half of all respondents said they do not think there are enough charging stations available. Forty-four percent said they consider them to be too expensive, 42 percent didn't think they could be used for long journeys, and 36 percent thought they took too long to charge.

Respondents were less likely to say that they were unable to charge an electric vehicle at home (26 percent) or that they did not think an electric vehicle would be fast enough (16 percent). Just 8 percent said they liked the sensation of driving a gas-powered vehicle more than an electric vehicle.

In summarizing the findings, Dalia Research says people are often interested in owning an electric vehicle but unaware or uncertain about its logistics. The company says that while charging infrastructure has been slow to expand, especially in places with low electric vehicle adoption rates, it has shown rapid development in other areas. The number of charging stations in Japan, including both public ones and those based in private homes, recently exceeded the number of gas stations in the country.

The company says automakers have also been working on speeding up recharging times for electric vehicles. The BYD e6, a bestselling electric vehicle in China, can charge a battery up to 80 percent in 15 minutes.

The report notes that while electric vehicles make up only a small share of overall vehicle sales, they are becoming more competitive with gas-powered vehicles as automakers develop models with lower prices and longer ranges.