AAA survey finds interest in EVs declining as Americans turn their attention to hybrids
10 June 2024
The most recent annual consumer survey by AAA on Electric Vehicles (EVs) indicates a decline in consumer interest in purchasing EVs. Only 18% of US adults say they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a new or used EV (not a hybrid)—down from 23% last year. 63% cited “unlikely or very unlikely” to purchase an EV for their next car purchase.
Early adopters who wanted an EV already have one. The remaining group of people who have yet to adopt EVs consider the practicality, cost, convenience, and ownership experience, and for some, those are big enough hurdles to keep them from making the jump to fully electric.
—Greg Brannon, director of automotive research at AAA
AAA found the main hesitations in purchasing an EV continue to be cost, lack of convenient charging options, and range anxiety. Three in ten also cited the inability to install a charging station where they live.
Accessible, reliable, affordable, and convenient charging is key to growing EV interest and adoption. For people who live in an apartment or condo, at-home charging options are likely not possible. An EV might be a great choice for households with 2+ cars, but it might not fit the consumer who has to rely on their car for everyday use and travel.
AAA believes there may be a near-term ceiling related to consumer adoption of battery electric vehicles due to their costs, charging accessibility, and range anxiety. However, hybrid options could bridge these gaps, broadening consumer interest in owning an EV.
AAA’s survey also found that one in three US adults (31%) say they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a hybrid. Access to a hybrid vehicle lessens the anxiety for consumers because it allows people to enjoy the benefits of electrification without feeling like they are disrupting their current lifestyle or travel plans (longer distance driving, less charging options, etc.).
Deciding to make the leap to full electric may feel overwhelming for many consumers, and a hybrid option may be the way to bridge this gap. Consumer demand will ultimately dictate the future, and my prediction is that we will have a mix of EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion vehicles in dealerships and on the roads in the US for many decades ahead.
—Greg Brannon
The survey was conducted 4-8 April 2024, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the US household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the US household population. Most surveys were completed online; consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.
A total of 1,152 interviews were completed among US adults, 18 years of age or older. The margin of error for the study overall is +/- 4% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins.
EVs now dominate the long distance commuting and professional markets because they are incredibly reliable and cheap to run. Hybrids however are always more thirsty and far more polluting than advertised and thrive only because of ICE industry misinformation. That mass delusion is unsustainable and will inevitably decline. Cheap and free clean fuel will always win in the end.
Posted by: Bernard Harper | 10 June 2024 at 04:11 AM
The Mini survey, which was posted here a few days ago, is a lot more interesting. One of its findings is that younger consumers are a lot less swayed by "range anxiety" and similar old warnings. Baby boomers, however, are less comfortable with modern technology.
Same thing happened when these same boomers were kids: their parents were the last generation still buying obsolete American V8 cars, and they were the ones buying compacts and "imports."
Now as then, the way forward seems obvious: invest in a generation that may have already purchased their last new automobile, or build the cars that consumers will want for the foreseeable future?
Posted by: Bernard | 10 June 2024 at 05:54 AM
I am a little too old to be considered a baby boomer (born in 1943) but I suppose that I have always worked with technology. Anyway, I have had an BEV (Chevy Bolt) for 5 years now and have about 82,000 miles. Only maintenance other than tires has been to change the rear wiper blade. I do not think that I would ever again buy a car with an internal combustion engine, hybrid or not. Personally, for the most part, I consider those buying non plug-in or short range plug-in hybrids to being rather short sighted or uninformed.
Posted by: sd | 10 June 2024 at 11:29 AM
BEVs remain a PIA for many.
Conditions in the US are not typical of world conditions, and are in fact an outlier.
For most people living at far higher densities, charging a BEV is a special trip, not having garages.
No doubt at some point a combination of fast charging and better batteries and perhaps roadside charging will obviate many of the present issues, but the notion that 'It works for me, therefore it is fine for everyone else' is quite false.
People usually know their own circumstances, and simply seeking to dismiss their preferences as wrong headed is unrealistic and unhelpful
I loath the American, and increasingly the European, obsession with unsuitable large trucks instead of cars, but I understand perfectly well the attractions.
That enables a realistic assessment of what measures are needed to counter them, and provide as much as possible for enabling the utility they perceive in those vehicles, whist just assuming that I know best and they know nothing would be entirely unhelpful.
Many people prefer hybrids to BEVs for a reason, and just ignoring what they perceive as their best option is a bit foolish.
Posted by: Davemart | 11 June 2024 at 02:37 AM
Davemart, don't forget that this is an American survey (the first A in AAA is "American"), so you can't extrapolate to other markets where liquid fuel is much more expensive, and more transportation options are available.
The Mini survey had similar numbers, but it broke them down by age group. Basically, anyone who grew-up with smartphones (starting with millennials, or maybe Gen-X) isn't too bothered by charging. The hold-outs are older, and not a significant demographic for auto sales in the medium term.
Posted by: Bernard | 11 June 2024 at 06:14 AM
Bernard:
Lots of Americans also would prefer a hybrid.
Simply dismissing their preference as wrong headed does not even begin to address the issue of why they don't fancy BEVs.
Posted by: Davemart | 11 June 2024 at 12:00 PM
I prefer that society would embrace all green car options and not pitting one type vs another. Different consumers has different special needs, therefore one size doesn't fit all.
For me, I prefer PHEV optimized for biomethane or biomethanol, over pure BEV or pure FCV. Biomethane burns very cleanly and is almost zero-emission, with very low engine-out emission if tuned to run lean with the use of turbocharger, so would still remain clean even if with exhaust emission deletion that is increasingly done today with the cooperation of crooked inspection shops.
Biomethane is available via the natural gas distribution piping, so is accessible everywhere and can be available at most gas stations.
Pure BEVs and pure FCVs are better suited for Europe and |Asia where cars are smaller, higher emission standards may be needed due to higher population density, and lower volume of waste biomass.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 11 June 2024 at 01:13 PM
Davemart, how did you possibly understand that I called anyone "wrong headed?" Did you even read what I wrote, or the article?
I wrote that those who prefer fossil solutions skew a lot older than those who prefer electric solutions. The implications are obvious for the auto industry.
Posted by: Bernard | 12 June 2024 at 05:32 AM