The proportion of Americans planning to purchase a fully electric vehicle has dropped to its lowest level since 2019, according to a new survey from the American Automobile Association (AAA), despite a growing selection of battery-electric models entering the U.S. market.
The survey found that only 16% of U.S. adults are either “very likely” or “likely” to buy a battery-electric vehicle as their next car. Meanwhile, 63% said they are “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to choose an EV, marking the highest level of reluctance recorded since 2022.
Cost and Charging Continue to Weigh on Buyers
AAA said affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to wider EV adoption.
According to the survey, 62% of respondents cited high battery repair costs as a concern, while 59% pointed to the higher purchase price of electric vehicles.
Other major concerns included long-distance driving capability (57%), limited availability of convenient public charging stations (56%), and fear of running out of battery power while driving (55%).
Among respondents who were undecided or unlikely to purchase an EV, 31% expressed safety concerns, 27% said installing a home charging system could be difficult, and 12% cited uncertainty surrounding government tax credits and purchase incentives.
AAA also noted that its 2024 Your Driving Cost analysis ranked battery-electric vehicles as having the second-highest total ownership costs because of depreciation, financing expenses and purchase prices.
Fuel Savings Still Drive EV Interest
Although overall consumer interest has declined, respondents who remain interested in electric vehicles continue to view lower operating costs as a key advantage.
Fuel savings, environmental benefits and reduced maintenance costs were identified as the primary reasons for considering an EV purchase.
AAA’s analysis found that battery-electric vehicles have the lowest fuel costs among all vehicle types, based on an average U.S. electricity price of 15.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, while also recording the lowest maintenance costs.
However, expectations for the future of electric mobility have also weakened. The share of Americans who believe most vehicles on U.S. roads will be electric within the next decade has fallen from 40% in 2022 to 23% in the latest survey.
Interest in purchasing EVs to take advantage of tax credits and rebates also declined, falling from 60% of prospective EV buyers last year to 39% in the latest survey.
Hybrids Offer a Middle Ground
AAA said hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles may provide a more practical alternative for consumers who remain hesitant about fully electric vehicles.
By combining an internal combustion engine with electric propulsion, hybrid models can reduce fuel consumption while addressing concerns over charging availability and driving range.
Greg Brannon, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering, said consumer attitudes toward electric vehicles continue to fluctuate despite manufacturers expanding their EV offerings.
“Since we began tracking interest in fully electric vehicles, we’ve seen some variability.”
He added:
“While the automotive industry is committed to long-term electrification and providing a diverse range of models, underlying consumer hesitation remains.”
Source: EVMagz