The demand is skyrocketing, eh?
One-third of Americans would consider EV purchase -Reuters/Ipsos poll
Just over one-third of Americans would consider buying an electric vehicle for their next model, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
The seven-day poll completed on Monday found 34% of all respondents would consider an EV, while 31% said no. Among Democrats 50% said they would consider an EV, while 26% of Republicans and 27% of independents said they would consider.
There are now more than 80 EV models for sale in the United States. EVs represented nearly 6% of all U.S. sales in 2022, with EV sales up by more than 60% last year.
President Joe Biden wants 50% of all new vehicles sold in 2030 to be EV or plug-in hybrid models. Tesla Inc is the leading EV maker in the U.S., but other top-selling models include Ford Motor Co’s Mustang Mach-E SUV, General Motors Co’s Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq 5.
Remember, that’s just people who would consider it, not those actively looking to purchase. Heck, I’d consider it. Most of my driving is short trips around town, including to work. Every once in a while I head down to the Smithfield factory outlets, maybe to the one in Mebane. If the range was good enough I’d be OK with the trips to Wrightsville beach 2-4 times a summer. Long distance up to NJ? Well, that could add an hour or more to the trip, but, I usually fly.
The poll found 56% of respondents would be willing to pay no more than $49,999 for an EV. In August, the Biden administration won a significant expansion of $7,500 electric vehicle tax credits and other battery and EV manufacturing incentives to shift the industry toward electric models but EVs are still often significantly above $50,000.
So, a goodly chunk of the respondents were apparently upper middle class and rich folks. I’m sure as hell not willing to pay that much. More like in the low to mid $30k’s. And that might be more than what a lot of folks want.
The poll also found that 35% wanted an EV that offered 500 or more miles of electric driving range per full charge, a distance few EVs offer today. Another 37% wanted a minimum of 300 miles.
EVs are pretty much play cars for the rich, and that won’t be changing anytime soon. Look at the manufacturers who have fully embraced this push. Most people do not want car payments in the $600’s and up, nor to finance a vehicle for 7+ years. And, if they’re so great, why do most of the people pushing this not drive them?
Read: Only 34% Would Consider An EV Purchase For Their Next Vehicle »