Marinscope
While California has mandated all motorist convert to electric cars, a new poll shows interest in doing so is actually waning. This from the AAA:
LAS VEGAS (June 6, 2024) – America’s interest in electric vehicles is low on power according to a AAA survey of prospective car buyers. Just 18 percent of polled consumers said they would be “likely” or “very likely” to buy a used or new EV, a drop from the 23 percent percent the same survey found one year ago.
“Early adopters who wanted an EV already have one,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive research. “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.”
Interest in hybrid vehicles is higher with 31 percent of respondents saying they were “likely” or “very likely” to purchase a hybrid as their next vehicle.
Why are Americans unplugged?
- Cost
- Higher purchase price was the largest single reason for respondents preferring gas-powered vehicles at 60 percent.
- Infrastructure
- Lack of convenient places to charge (54 percent) and inability to install charging stations at home (30 percent) were cited as common barriers.
- Maintenance costs
- More than half (57 percent) of respondents expressed concerns over battery costs for repair or replacement.
“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,” continued Brannon. “Consumer demand will ultimately dictate the future, and my prediction is that we will have a mix of EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion vehicles in dealerships and on the roads in the US for many decades ahead.”
AAA’s Tips for EV Owners
- Make sure you’re covered
- AAA Northern California offers mobile charging to take some of the range anxiety away. Mobile battery trucks can service AAA members with dead batteries on the roadside without the need for towing.
- Know where you can plug in
- The AAA Mobile app helps drivers find charging stations near them on their phone and on Apple CarPlay. It also lets them request roadside assistance.
Methodology
The survey was conducted April 4-8, 2024, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population. Most surveys were completed online; consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.
A total of 1,152 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older. The margin of error for the study overall is +/- 4% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins.
About AAA Nevada
AAA has a proud history of serving Members for over 100 years. AAA is on a mission to create Members for life by unleashing the innovative spirit of 5,300 employees representing more than 6 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. In addition to legendary roadside assistance, AAA offers home, auto, and life insurance, travel, and home security services. Learn more at AAA.com.
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