Would you buy an EV (electric vehicle)? Auto club AAA just released results from a survey it conducted with that question. Only 25% of U.S. adults would be “very likely” or “likely” to do so. What’s the hangup with the big majority who wouldn’t?
The survey, conducted last March, was to examine consumer attitudes toward adopting EVs. A total of 1,170 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older. Here’s what they said.
Buy an RV? Here are the results
One in four U.S. adults say they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy an electric vehicle (powered exclusively by electricity, i.e., not a hybrid) the next time they are in the market for a new or used vehicle. The results are similar to 2022.
Of those who were interested in buying, three-quarters (76%) said they wanted to save on the cost of fuel as one of their reasons. This was followed by concern for the environment (60%).
Millennials are more likely to say they would buy a fully electric vehicle for their next vehicle (31%) than Generation X (21%) and Baby Boomers (18%).
Consumers who are interested in buying electric vehicles are most interested in purchasing new. Six in ten (58%) of those saying they are likely to purchase an electric vehicle for their next vehicle say they would purchase new. One quarter (26%) would purchase used, and 16% are unsure.
Those that wouldn’t buy an EV
That big majority of “not interested in buying” folks didn’t mind giving their reasons for not plunking down their money. Those reasons included cost (59%), lack of charging stations (56%), cost to replace or repair the battery (55%), and range anxiety (53%). These remain the primary barriers to purchasing an electric vehicle, for those undecided or unlikely to buy an EV.
In addition, four in ten consumers are concerned about the impact cold weather has on an electric vehicle’s range. This is a factor that can reduce the battery’s range substantially.
It seems EV builders have a lot more than just battery issues to overcome if they plan on charging ahead to success.
##RVT1133b
In my humble opinion, the only way EV will work with our present antiquated power grid, is with a battery exchange setup. Just like factories use for forklifts. You pull in, pop in your CC, the machine drops out your depleted battery and slides in a fully charged battery. Same amount of time for a fill up with gas.
That’s the most creative idea I’ve heard yet. Battery vending machines next to the fuel pumps. Just need to have all EVs use the identical batteries I guess.
It’s not new. Same battery dimensions, never happen, they don’t even have a common charging plug. NACS is close but not universal.
I doubt anyone could lift the battery.
I had dinner with my mother-in-law last night and rethought my post. She can barely lift a glass of wine anymore (but she does). No chance on a battery swap.
As Buddy Holly said in his Song “That’ll be the Day”
NIO cars in China have BAAS or battery as a service. Proprietary battery exchange. Others looking to purchase/use that technology
Our concern is with the ever increasing number of pedestrian deaths due to driverless EVs.While there’s still a few bugs in the system, I’d prefer NOT to be a guinea pig.
We talked about looking into one. The cost of the EV is much higher than an ICE vehicle, for something with limited range. Plus the cost of installing a level 2 charger, makes it out of the normal person reach.
Maybe a Hybrid will be in our future, but for now. The vehicles we have meet all our needs.
My truck has over a 200 mile range and only takes 10 minutes to fill up. An EV truck won’t get me that range and takes hours to recharge.
I refuse to buy a vehicle that causes more long term damage to the environment than any internal combustion engine. Check out what it takes to build those DC battery packs.
🤣😂🤣😅😂🤣😂
I’m so surprised that 25% would buy an EV, I thought the number would be a lot lower.
The carbon foot print is bad bad and bad.
Show me a simple, little grocery getter that will run over 100 miles with the AC or heat on and I might get interested. Maybe even charge overnight at home. Use a battery that isn’t worse on the environment than ICE exhaust. A really big plus would be towable with regenerative charging. Might happen in China or Europe, but not here at home. Domestic car builders tell us what we want.
The environmental impact of mining the materials for EV batteries is devastating, destroying hundred of thousands of acres of land, water and causing extreme health issues. Much material is mined by criminal organizations using forced labor, child labor and slaves destroying families and communities. The carbon footprint of EVs is tremendous taking 6 to 8 years to make a difference and by then you’re close to needing a new battery pack. According to CR, EVs have far more problems than ice vehicles and hybrids having the fewest problems. Our electric grid will need to be overhauled to meet the demand costing trillions and causing far more carbon pollution.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! We bought our “last ever’ (and second ever) RV last summer. I don’t think that we’ll ever buy another RV, electric or otherwise. We’re retired and do not wish to extend ourselves financially in order to buy another. Number two has all the latest techy bells and whistles — 360° camera system, adaptive cruise-control, lane-departure warning, and escape door with ladder — in order to help me safely drive the RV as long as possible. So, we do not envision getting a third RV. Instead, we likely will just stop RVing.
“What’s the hangup with the big majority who wouldn’t?”
Why is that considered a “hangup”? That assumes we should all just be lusting after these battery-powered cars and trucks. It’s refreshing to see that the majority of comments (so far) are not in love with this senseless push to battery-powered anything.
“Hangup”. Us crazy uninformed consumers just don’t understand. If only we were all better informed. The idea that taking 10 minutes to recharge our ICE fuel tanks for a 400 mile journey as opposed to several hours to travel 250 miles… how dumb can we all be? On Thursday I heard 0% taxes in Florida is > than 8% taxes in California. We should know that, bunch of rubes that we are. New math, 0>8.
I’m pro-choice on EVs. If you want one, get one. I do not. I would lose my mind waiting for a recharge, especially because over 30% of the chargers in public places are broken down EVERYDAY. A higher out of order rate than McDonalds soft serve machines. 🫨
EV sales have flat lined. Conventional auto mfrs are putting the brakes on production and development because long range forecasting indicates sales declining before the end of 2025. Economically, the high cost of production and use of EVs is not sustainable.
How long did it take the ICE to fully replace animal powered transportation? I’m expecting the same time frame for EVs to replace ICE. Note that while I expect most to all vehicles to have electric vs ICE motors, I don’t necessarily think this equates to stored electric power (batteries). There are other sources of electricity – not yet practical, but getting closer.
Maybe there’ll be cables strung everywhere and everybody will drive cable cars like the bumper cars at the carnival. That’ll be fun!
How long did it take for the horse to replace walking? What, it hasn’t?
How long did it take for flying to replace riding the train? What… it hasn’t?
How long did it take power boats to replace sail boats? What, people still sail?
How long did it take Ketchup to replace fish sauce?
EV infrastructure for current style battery powered EVs for mass use is 100 plus years away, IMO.
I do however agree with you that another alternative to batteries will get here first. Your 100% on that.
At 80 yrs I won’t have to worry about EVs. They won’t be successful until all the people in the 40-50 year old are gone, by that time the infrastructure may be restored to handle the loads, no one will remember how easy ICE vehicles were to drive.
Should have started with Hybrids.There are a couple of vehicles if they were hybrid would have bought. Then they could have transitioned to all EV. But no, the powers that be have to go all in. Not just all electric, but by tomorrow (facetious, but pretty much true…many states dictating full EV by 2030). The people aren’t stupid. Sorry for the manufactures who were strong armed by the govt. Now the dealers & manufacturers have cars piling up.
EV’s are charged by electricity produced by fossil fuels. So why is the US trying to stop fossil fuel production. There is not enough production of other sources to produce all the needs of US citizens.