According to foreign media reports, a consumer survey commissioned by the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows that the public is interested in itElectric vehicleof interest has fallen to its lowest level since 2019. Only 16% of respondents said they were “likely” or “very likely” to buy an electric car as their next car purchase option.
Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at the American Automobile Association, pointed out: “Despite the automotive industry’s commitment to advancing long-term electrification strategies and offering diverse vehicle models, potential consumer doubts remain. The data shows that the proportion of respondents who clearly say it is “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to consider an electric car as their next car rose from 51% to 63%, the highest level since 2022.
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62% of respondents cited high battery repair costs as the main reason for refusing to buy an all-electric model. However, research from the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center, a joint effort between Stanford University’s Precourt Energy Institute and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States, suggests that electric vehicle batteries may actually last longer than previously expected. The researchers found that real driving conditions wear out less on the battery than in lab tests, meaning battery replacements may be less frequent than some consumers fear.
59% of respondents cited the high price of electric vehicles as a hindrance. According to data from Cox Automotive, the average transaction price of new electric vehicles in the United States in March this year was $59,205, significantly higher than the overall average transaction price of $47,462 for new cars in the same period.
Other major consumer concerns in this year’s survey revolve around batteries: 56% believe that public charging stations are not convenient enough, 55% are worried about “range anxiety” (running out of battery while driving), and 57% believe that electric vehicles are not suitable for long trips.
In addition, consumer interest in purchasing electric vehicles has declined due to the removal of electric vehicle incentives in the United States.
The American Automobile Association survey also showed that 77% of respondents said the main reason for buying an electric car was “saving on gasoline”, and 59% mentioned “environmental factors”. At the same time, consumer confidence in the electrification process of cars is also weakening: the proportion of American drivers who believe that “most cars will be electrified in the next 10 years” has fallen from 40% in 2022 to 23% this year.
The American Automobile Association conducted the survey from March 6 to 10 and covered a total of 1,128 respondents.