Only 14% Of US Survey Respondents Say They Would Definitely Buy An Electric Vehicle

Consumer Reports ^ | 07/11/2022 | Jessica Rabe of DataTrek Research

[SeekAndFind]

A new nationwide survey from Consumer Reports shows that range anxiety and cost are the primary factors holding back consumers from purchasing an electric vehicle. Only 14 pct of respondents said they would definitely buy an EV, not enough to support a vibrant used EV market.

Consumer Reports recently released the results of its nationally representative survey of 8,027 American adults on their views towards electric vehicles. Here were the major takeaways:

• On buying/leasing an EV: Fourteen percent of respondents said they “would definitely buy or lease an electric-only vehicle”, over half (57%) said they would consider/seriously consider it and more than a quarter (28%) said they would not consider buying one.

• Obstacles to buying/leasing an EV: The top 3 concerns preventing respondents from buying or leasing an electric-only vehicle were:

  • “Charging logistics, such as where and when I’d be able to charge it” (61%),

  • “number of miles the vehicle can go before it needs to be charged” (55%) and

  • “costs involved with buying, owning and maintaining an electric-only vehicle” (52%).

• When it comes to cost-related factors preventing respondents from buying or leasing an EV, the top 3 were:

  • “purchase price” (58 pct),

  • “maintenance and repair costs” (40 pct) and

  • “the cost to install a home charger” (30 pct).

• In terms of charging-related concerns holding people back, the top 3 were:

  • “not enough public charging stations” (59 pct),

  • “nowhere to plug in my car to charge at home” (44 pct) and

  • “inconvenience of charging” (42 pct).

• Knowledge of tax incentives: Almost half (46 pct) of respondents had not heard of any incentives available for EV owners. Just over a third (34 pct) knew about “tax rebates/discounts at the time of purchase or lease”.
  
  Further, most respondents (60 pct) said they are not too familiar or not familiar at all with the fundamentals of owning an EV. Most respondents have not driven (93 pct) or been a passenger (83 pct) in an EV over the last year.

Takeaway: This survey is instructive in that it captures the receptivity to EVs among BOTH new and used car buyers. For the EV market to prove robust and sustainable, it will need to achieve broader adoption to support the EV ecosystem that helps drive resale values and affordable lease rates.

At present, more than a quarter of Americans are not open to getting an EV, with range anxiety and costs the primary factors holding back consumers. Many Americans are also still unfamiliar with EVs in terms of how they work and the tax incentives available. Spurring more EV adoption will come down to improving the technology (i.e. extending vehicle range), expanding the number of public charging stations, and offering/publicizing financial incentives which help bring down purchase prices.

Source

[DIRTYSECRET]

Let them. No subsidies.

[newzjunkey]

I can’t charge at work or home. I can stop at a charging area in a local parking lot or gas station but that eats up my day. ICE I can go from E to 400+ miles range in maybe ten minutes.

[Boomer]

The only way I will get an EV is if a direct trade for one of my current vehicles with no money out of pocket on my end. Example: I’d trade my 05 Pickup for a brand new Ford Lightning EV. Seems fair to me. It won’t help the environment at all and it will burden the electric grid but hey; I only use the truck for specific things anyway.

[bak3r]

It’s simple. Build an EV with a longer range, faster charging, lower cost, and lower cost of ownership than ICE. All without subsidies, taxes, and fines. They would naturally become the standard. Until I will take the best vehicle for my needs.

[Rebelbase]

As more and more people buy into EV I am looking forward to seeing hopelessly long lines at charging stations the next time we have a hurricane evacuation in the SE.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

People will come around when the government bans ICE engines and prohibits the refining and sale of gasoline.

[DugwayDuke]

Consistent with what my favorite car salesman is telling me about the pushback he’s getting from his customers. They do not want an EV. Nor do they wish to discuss EV. (BTW, he’s a Cadillac salesman so he’s dealing with relatively affluent and upscale customers.)

[SeekAndFind]

RE: People will come around when the government bans ICE engines and prohibits the refining and sale of gasoline.

Shhhh.... don’t give them ideas...

[Leaning Right]

Who cares what people want, or don’t want? It’s all about what the government wants. If they want you to buy an electric vehicle, your vehicle choices will continually be narrowed. Eventually, an electric vehicle will be your only option.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

You must be behind! Lots of liberal states have passed laws or regs making the sale of ICE engine cars illegal beyond 2030 to 2035.

[technically right]

Saw an interesting video today. Some guys got a new Ford lightning and a new GMC with the 6.2 gas engine.,then they got 2 identical pull type campers weighing 6,000 pounds each. Then they set out to see how long each could go before they ran out gas/battery. Well the lighting got all of 85 miles when the battery got to 9% charge. Totally f’n worthless.

[Tell It Right]

When my wife and I charged our EV on our first weekend trip in it (think of it as a test run for how easy it is to find a charger), we waited less time (19 minutes) than people were waiting at the next door gas station. The lines were long because the gas station was selling gas for the "low" price of $3.89/gallon.

We shouldn't fall for the EV vs. gas argument. That's a distraction. We should stay focused on keeping government out of our energy and transportation freedom. We like our gas pickup as much as we like our EV car. Both have their strong points.

[cgbg]

“pushback he’s getting from his customers. They do not want an EV. Nor do they wish to discuss EV.”

He is just doing it wrong.

The customers will be happy to buy the vehicles if he calls them right wing extremist Neanderthals who are trying to destroy the planet.

;-)

[Rebelbase]

Were you having to flee in a natural disaster evac would you choose the EV or the pickup truck?

[brownsfan]

With the rapidity and certainty that auto manufacturers are moving to EV offers, I have no doubt we will be forced into EVs.

[central_va]

When my wife and I charged our EV on our first weekend trip in it (think of it as a test run for how easy it is to find a charger), we waited less time (19 minutes) than people were waiting at the next door gas station. The lines were long because the gas station was selling gas for the "low" price of $3.89/gallon.

You waited almost 20 minutes before you could even start charging? And how long did that take? LOL!!! You are BS'ing us FRiend...

[TornadoAlley3]

47 % working full time
14% part time
39% Not Working

participants from linked survey

[DugwayDuke]

cgbg wrote: “The customers will be happy to buy the vehicles if he calls them right wing extremist Neanderthals who are trying to destroy the planet.”

most people here in Alabama would consider that a compliment.

[central_va]

Maybe Fred was on to something?