US Car Buyers Still Mostly Skeptical of Electric Vehicles, But Open to Advantages
A recent survey by Deloitte found that just 7% of US car buyers want an electric vehicle for their next car. While this may seem like a low figure, it's actually a 40% increase from last year's survey, which showed only 5% of respondents wanting an EV.
Internal combustion engines remain the dominant choice among Americans, with 61% saying they prefer gasoline-powered vehicles. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid options are also popular, with 21% and 5% of respondents respectively expressing interest.
However, when it comes to electric vehicles, there are some advantages that may appeal to potential buyers. For example, over 52% of US respondents said lower fuel costs were a reason for choosing an EV, while 38% cited environmental concerns.
Deloitte's survey also found that the cost premium associated with electric vehicles is not as significant as previously thought. Only 7% of respondents said they would be unwilling to pay more than $75,000 for an EV, and many are willing to spend between $20,000 and $49,999 on a new vehicle.
Despite these advantages, range anxiety and charging time remain major concerns among car buyers when discussing electric vehicles. However, the survey found that many respondents were misinformed about the cost of replacing an EV's battery, with 38% saying they were concerned about the high cost of repairs.
The US is also lagging behind other countries in terms of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). A clean-sheet approach to vehicle design, where a handful of powerful computers replaces dozens of discrete electronic control units, has been adopted by many automakers. However, only 41% of US car buyers think SDVs are useful, and one in three says they have no use for them.
The survey also found that the concept of using one's car as a digital platform for other services is not as popular in the US as it is in other countries. Only 53% of respondents said they had no interest in such a thing, with another 19% indicating neutrality on the topic.
Overall, while there are still many challenges to overcome, electric vehicles appear to be gaining traction in the US market. As technology continues to advance and costs come down, it's likely that more Americans will consider EVs as a viable option for their next car.
A recent survey by Deloitte found that just 7% of US car buyers want an electric vehicle for their next car. While this may seem like a low figure, it's actually a 40% increase from last year's survey, which showed only 5% of respondents wanting an EV.
Internal combustion engines remain the dominant choice among Americans, with 61% saying they prefer gasoline-powered vehicles. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid options are also popular, with 21% and 5% of respondents respectively expressing interest.
However, when it comes to electric vehicles, there are some advantages that may appeal to potential buyers. For example, over 52% of US respondents said lower fuel costs were a reason for choosing an EV, while 38% cited environmental concerns.
Deloitte's survey also found that the cost premium associated with electric vehicles is not as significant as previously thought. Only 7% of respondents said they would be unwilling to pay more than $75,000 for an EV, and many are willing to spend between $20,000 and $49,999 on a new vehicle.
Despite these advantages, range anxiety and charging time remain major concerns among car buyers when discussing electric vehicles. However, the survey found that many respondents were misinformed about the cost of replacing an EV's battery, with 38% saying they were concerned about the high cost of repairs.
The US is also lagging behind other countries in terms of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). A clean-sheet approach to vehicle design, where a handful of powerful computers replaces dozens of discrete electronic control units, has been adopted by many automakers. However, only 41% of US car buyers think SDVs are useful, and one in three says they have no use for them.
The survey also found that the concept of using one's car as a digital platform for other services is not as popular in the US as it is in other countries. Only 53% of respondents said they had no interest in such a thing, with another 19% indicating neutrality on the topic.
Overall, while there are still many challenges to overcome, electric vehicles appear to be gaining traction in the US market. As technology continues to advance and costs come down, it's likely that more Americans will consider EVs as a viable option for their next car.