Interest in EVs has grown substantially, survey shows

The number of U.S. consumers who said they would definitely buy or lease an electric-only vehicle is growing rapidly, according to the findings of a Consumer Reports survey released Thursday. This year, 14% of consumers said they would buy or lease an electric-only vehicle if they were to get one today, compared with just 4% in the organization’s 2020 survey.

The results of the survey surprised me. Many Americans said they are interested in buying or leasing an electric car. I think this change is because of two things: the high cost of gas, and people who are concerned about the environment and want to do something about it.

A large majority of people, 71%, said that they were interested in buying or leasing an electric vehicle. However, only 9% of those people said that they were very familiar with the basics of owning an EV. The top concerns preventing people from buying electric vehicles are charging logistics, how far they can drive before needing to recharge, and the costs associated with buying and maintaining an EV.

Many people think that the cost of electric vehicles (EVs) is too high, but this is changing. There are now a number of more affordable models available. However, there are also a number of incentive programs available to help reduce the cost of purchasing an EV. Unfortunately, 46% of those surveyed said they had not heard about any incentives available for electric vehicle buyers.

There is currently a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for people who buy electric vehicles. Many states also offer their own incentives, such as California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Oregon. Recently, new proposed regulations were put in place in California that could be adopted by 16 other states and might influence federal policy.

Many cities and states have recognized the demand for electric cars. They have set up programs to make it easier for people to switch to electric cars. In Seattle, the city's electric utility, City Light, has a new program that allows residents who own an EV or plan to purchase one within the next year, to request a charger near their home. Michigan has awarded $577,000 in grants to increase access to EVs and encourage greater adoption of EVs in the state.

To support government initiatives, "Manufacturers should work on educating their consumers and letting them know that these incentives are out there," Greene said. He added that car dealerships could help inform buyers about the incentives as well.

The survey will "show federal and state governments that Americans really want EVs, and they're excited to get into these cars."