Range and Charging Time Top Reasons Consumers Are Saying “No” to EVs

According to a recent AutoPacific survey, range and charge time issues are mostly to blame for deterring potential future electrified vehicle (EV) buyers.

LONG BEACH, CA, USA, March 28, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- Results of a recent online survey issued by noted automotive research and consulting firm, AutoPacific, indicate range and charge time issues are mostly to blame for deterring potential future electrified vehicle (EV) buyers. The study was issued to AutoPacific’s proprietary panel of respondents who are licensed drivers ages 18 and older and reside in the U.S. Of the 827 survey respondents, 50% say they will consider an EV in the near future and 50% say they will not. As a pre-cursor to AutoPacific’s comprehensive EV Rejector Study planned for release later in 2023, this smaller panel survey serves to test some initial hypotheses while the larger future study is designed. “It’s not a secret that those who refuse to purchase an EV are concerned about range and charging, but we now know more specifics about these deterring elements, like distance to charging station, availability of charging at work, dwelling style, etc.” says AutoPacific President and Chief Analyst Ed Kim. According to consumer responses, the top reason cited for not considering an EV in the future is “I would be worried about losing charge and being stranded,” followed by “I think the charge required to wait for an EV to charge is too long.”

Misperceptions and/or Lack of Charging at or Near Work Deter Potential Buyers

Of respondents who will not consider an EV, 45% believe their home would require extensive and expensive upgrades in order to successfully charge an EV, compared to only 14% of EV acceptors. Additionally, only 6% of rejectors say either their employer offers a place to plug in or a public charging station is within close walking distance, compared to 30% of EV acceptors. “At this point, consumers who can adopt an EV lifestyle most easily are the ones who are going to become EV owners,” says Kim. “While there is a certain level of misunderstanding about at-home chargers, and there’s certainly a lack of public charging infrastructure, it will take a combination of education and availability to grow the EV acceptor population,” continues Kim.

Electrified Vehicles Priced Under $35,000 Could Persuade Some Initial Rejectors

EV cost is also a deterrent, as 41% of respondents cited “buying and/or operating an EV is too expensive” as a reason for rejection. However, a combined 35% of those respondents say they would change their mind if an EV was priced below $35,000. Kim says, “Given the more affordably priced EV entries on the horizon, it’s nice to know there’s not only an existing market for a cheaper EV among EV acceptors, but that a lower price point could sway some initial rejectors to enter the market.”

This finding highlights the importance of getting more affordable EVs into the marketplace as they will be crucially important in achieving federal and state level goals for mass EV adoption. If mainstream middle-class consumers can’t afford them, EVs cannot become truly mainstream vehicles.

About AutoPacific

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing research and product consulting firm providing clients with industry intelligence, sales forecasting. The firm, founded in 1986, also conducts extensive proprietary and syndicated research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers, and suppliers worldwide, including its highly recognized Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS). The company is headquartered in Long Beach, California with affiliate offices in Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Carolinas. Additional information can be found at http://www.autopacific.com.

Deborah Grieb
AutoPacific, Inc.
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