When AAA surveyed consumers about their attitudes toward electric vehicles (EVs) in 2022, 25% said they were “likely” or “very likely” to consider an EV for their next car. Last year, 23% said the same. This year, just 18% agreed.
“There may be a near-term ceiling related to consumer adoption of battery electric vehicles due to their costs, charging accessibility, and range anxiety,” the researchers conclude.
Related: Automakers Are Pushing EVs; Americans Are Buying Hybrids
Researchers surveyed 1,152 adults, selected to represent about 97% of the U.S. population. The survey had a margin of error of 4%.
Price, Range, Charging Infrastructure
What’s causing fewer Americans to consider an electric car? If you’ve followed the issue, the answers won’t surprise you.
“Cost, lack of convenient charging options, and range anxiety” were the top three reasons those not interested in an EV cited. “Three in ten also cited the inability to install a charging station where they live,” AAA notes.
Thirty-one percent said they were open to a hybrid vehicle instead. “Deciding to make the leap to full electric may feel overwhelming for many consumers, and a hybrid option may be the way to bridge this gap,” explains Greg Brannon, AAA director of automotive research.
Respondents cited long-distance travel and less dependence on public charging as their primary reasons for considering a hybrid over an EV.
This Is a Normal Adoption Curve
Consumers often follow a predictable curve in adopting new technologies. They show quick growth early, then adoption slows before growing slowly and steadily over many years. America may be in that lull, the researchers say
“Early adopters who wanted an EV already have one,” Brannon said. “The remaining group of people who have yet to adopt EVs consider the practicality, cost, convenience, and ownership experience, and for some, those are big enough hurdles to keep them from making the jump to fully electric.”
Those factors, however, change over time. They may converge in the early 2030s when most EV skeptics expect to reevaluate.
