Many Americans are still undecided about buying an electric vehicle. A new poll reveals that high prices and a lack of easily accessible charging stations are major roadblocks.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago conducted a poll and found that roughly four out of ten U.S. adults say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase an EV the next time they buy a car, while 46% say they are not too likely or not at all likely to do so.
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The poll results, which mirror an AP-NORC poll from last year, reveal that President Joe Biden’s election-year plan to drastically increase EV sales is facing opposition from American drivers. Only 13% of Americans claim that they or someone in their home owns or leases a gas-hybrid vehicle, while only 9% own or lease an electric vehicle.
Caleb Jud of Cincinnati said he’s thinking about getting an EV, but if he goes electric, he might get a plug-in hybrid instead. While Cincinnati winters aren’t exceptionally cold, “the thought of being stuck in the driveway with an EV that won’t run is worrisome, and I know it wouldn’t be an issue with a plug-in hybrid,” he said. Freezing temperatures can impede chemical reactions in EV batteries, limiting power and range.
According to a new rule from the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 56% of all new vehicle sales must be electric by 2032, with at least 13% being plug-in hybrids or other partially electric vehicles. Automakers are investing billions of dollars in facilities and battery technologies to accelerate the transition to EVs, reduce pollution, combat climate change, and meet the deadline.
EVs are an important aspect of Biden’s climate plan. Republicans, led by presumptive nominee Donald Trump, are making it a campaign issue.
Younger people are more likely than older ones to consider acquiring an electric vehicle in the future. More than half of those under 45 say they are “somewhat” likely to consider purchasing an electric vehicle. According to the research, approximately 32% of those over the age of 45 are somewhat likely to purchase an electric vehicle.
According to the poll, only 21% of Americans believe they are “very” or “extremely” likely to buy an EV for their next car, with another 21% saying it is moderately likely. Cost issues are common, as are other practical problems.
Range anxiety, the belief that EVs cannot travel far enough on a single charge and may leave the driver stranded, is a major reason why many Americans do not buy electric vehicles.
Around half of all adults in the United States cite concerns regarding range as their primary reason not to purchase an electric vehicle. Approximately four in ten people claim that a key disadvantage of EVs is that they take too long to charge or that they are unaware of any public charging stations nearby.
Concerns about range have prompted some to pursue gas-engine hybrids, which allow driving even when the battery runs out. Jud, a 33-year-old operations professional and political independent, stated that a hybrid “is more than enough for my around-town shopping and dropping my son off at school,” among other purposes.
Jud stated that with EV prices falling, cost would not be a consideration, which was a minority opinion among those surveyed. Nearly six out of ten respondents say cost is a major reason they would not buy an EV.
Price is a larger consideration for elderly people.
Kelley Blue Book said that the average price for a new EV was $52,314 in February. That’s a 12.8% decrease from the previous year, but still higher than the average price for all new automobiles, which is $47,244, according to the research.
Jose Valdez of San Antonio has three EVs, including the new Mustang Mach-E. Valdez estimated that the sleek new car would cost around $49,000 after a tax credit and other incentives. He believes it is well worth the money.
“People think they cost an arm and a leg, but once they experience driving an electric vehicle, they’ll have a different mindset,” said Valdez, a retired state maintenance worker.
The 45-year-old Republican stated that he does not believe in climate change. “I care more about saving green” dollars, he said, adding that he enjoys the EV’s peaceful ride and the fact that he does not have to pay for gas or maintenance. EVs require fewer parts than gas-powered vehicles and are often less expensive to maintain. Valdez installed his house charger himself for less than $700 and uses it for all three family vehicles, including the Mustang and two older Ford hybrids.
Valdez added that, with a recently purchased converter, he can also charge at a neighboring Tesla supercharger station.
Approximately half of respondents who claim they reside in rural regions cite a lack of charging infrastructure as a primary reason for not purchasing an EV, compared to four in ten of those living in urban districts.
Daphne Boyd of Ocala, Florida, is not interested in owning an EV. There are few public chargers near her remote house, and EVs don’t make much environmental sense, according to her. She points out that the production of batteries requires the mining of precious metals, often in countries where child labor or other harmful conditions are prevalent. She also worries that heavier EV batteries may increase tire wear and make automobiles less efficient. Experts say more battery weight can wear on tires, but good maintenance and careful driving can help them last longer.
Boyd, a 54-year-old Republican and self-described farm woman, said EVs may one day make economic and environmental sense, but “they’re not where they need to be” to persuade her to buy one now or in the near future.
Ruth Mitchell, a novelist from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, adores her 2017 Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid that can travel 50 miles on battery power before the gas engine kicks in. “It’s fantastic—quiet, great pickup, and inexpensive to drive. “I rave about it on Facebook,” she stated.
Mitchell, a 70-year-old Democrat, charges her car at home, but says there are multiple public outlets nearby if necessary. She is not searching for a new car, Mitchell said, but if she does, it will be electric: “I will not drive anything else.”
