CARFAX: Only 14% of Poles believe in the future of gasoline and diesel
In CARFAX’s Used Car Day survey (September 18, 2026), only 14% of Poles believed that gasoline and diesel would remain popular in 25-30 years. Range remains the biggest obstacle for electric vehicles, as 49% of respondents want longer ranges. The survey was conducted in August using CAWI on a representative group of one thousand people.
55% of respondents believe that electric and hybrid vehicles will dominate roads. 15% are in favor of hydrogen, while another 14% expect other technologies, including those not yet known. Given the sample size, this reflects more attitudes than market forecasts, but the trend is clear.
What Poles Want from Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
The list of wishes for electric cars is short and mainly relates to batteries:
longer range per charge: 49%
faster charging: 26%
more durable batteries: 26%
safier batteries: 25%
cheaper battery replacements: 20%
For hybrids, the distribution is similar. Batteries are expected to be more durable (36%), allow for longer driving ranges (35%), and repairs or replacements should be cheaper (28%). Charging speed isn’t mentioned here, so the outcome seems to focus on durability and cost rather than performance.
Internal combustion engines also have a criterion. According to 60% of respondents, they will only be attractive if they consume significantly less fuel and emit fewer emissions. This requirement is more important for people over 55 (68%) than for those aged 18–24 (49%).
The used car market still relies on internal combustion engines
Reality differs from claims. In CARFAX’s database, which includes over 21 million used passenger cars in Poland, gasoline vehicles make up 56%, while diesel vehicles account for 37%. The average age of used cars in Poland is 16 years.
60% of the cars in the database come from imports, with half of them being German. The imported vehicles are older, with an average age of 19 years. Nearly 80% of the cars have at least one risk factor, such as unusual odometer readings, while slightly over 40% have recorded damage in their history.
Robert Lewandowski, Business Development Manager at CARFAX Polska, says that consumer awareness follows global trends and regulations. He believes a significant increase in battery energy density and improved charging infrastructure are needed for fully electrified cars to dominate. He also adds that the used electric car market lacks options affordable for the average person. There is also a lack of confidence regarding the proper aging process of older generations of BEVs.
The last point is the most interesting topic for us. The Pole states that exhaust systems are being dropped, and range and battery life are his criteria for purchase. However, the real test will come only when the first electric vehicles appear in large numbers on the used market and buyers ask about the battery condition.
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