Survey Shows Most People Are Interested in Owning an Electric Car
The latest Consumer Reports survey shows most people in the United States are interested in learning more about electric vehicles (EVs) and possibly owning one. The survey was conducted in the summer of 2020 with results from nearly 3,400 drivers, which shows public perception of electric vehicles is heading toward the mainstream.
While only 30% of the respondents said they knew a lot about electric cars, almost all had heard of them. But more important is their level of interest in EVs, with more than 70% saying they would consider purchasing an electric car sometime in the future and nearly a third showing interest in buying an EV for their next vehicle. Over 70% agree that electric vehicles would help reduce pollution and that auto manufacturers should consider offering other EV vehicles, such as plug-in electric SUVs or pickup trucks.
Concerns About Buying an Electric Vehicle
While policy analysts for Consumer Reports said drivers can save more money in the long run if they switch to an electric car, most people are hesitant to take the plunge. An earlier survey highlighting the benefits of driving an electric vehicle versus a gasoline-powered car determined what people are most concerned about.
Vehicle range and availability of charging stations were among the top concerns. Nearly half of the people surveyed said they want an electric car that could travel over 300 miles between charges, and less than half said inadequate charging stations are holding them back.
Despite concerns about a lack of public charging infrastructure, over 70% said they would likely do most of the charging at home. The survey found that drivers of an EV with 250 miles of range can do 92% of charging at home.
Other reasons include purchase price, insufficient knowledge about electric cars, and lack of a place to charge at home.
Supporting State and Federal Government
The Consumer Reports survey results showed:
- 60% of drivers supported federal and state incentives to help reduce the price of an electric vehicle.
- More than half support state spending on electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Over a third of survey respondents said federal and state officials should require automakers to offer electric cars.
While these results show growing consumer interest in electric vehicles, they said automakers need to provide more EVs at competitive prices.
Costs of a New Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicles are an attractive option for many people. However, barriers such as affordability keep them out of reach. A new electric vehicle can cost $25,000 to $180,000. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of an EV in 2022 was $66,000. Price markups at dealerships have also increased costs by $10,000 to $15,000.
While EVs are still more expensive compared to gasoline-powered cars, these affordable electric vehicles won’t break the bank:
- 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV – starting price: $26,595
- 2023 Nissan Leaf – starting price: $28,040
- 2022 Mazda MX-30 – starting price: $33,470
- 2022 Hyundai Kona EV – starting price: $34,000
- 2022 Kia Niro EV – starting price: $39,090
The YouTube video from CNET below discusses the best new electric vehicles coming in 2023.
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