A lot of Americans aren’t sure about buying electric cars. They think they’re too expensive, and there aren’t enough places to charge them. A new survey shows about 4 in 10 people might consider buying an electric car next time, but 46% aren’t really interested.
The survey also shows that even though President Joe Biden wants to sell more electric cars, many people aren’t on board. Only 13% of adults in the U.S. own or lease a gas-electric car, and just 9% have an electric car.
Caleb Jud from Cincinnati is thinking about getting an electric car, but he might go for a plug-in hybrid instead. He’s worried about the cold weather affecting an electric car’s battery. Sometimes, when it’s freezing, electric car batteries don’t work as well.
The Environmental Protection Agency wants more than half of all new cars sold in 2032 to be electric. Car companies are spending a lot of money to make more electric cars and batteries.
Younger people are more interested in buying electric cars than older people. But overall, only 21% of people are very likely to buy one next time they need a car.
A big concern for many people is how far an electric car can go on one charge. They’re worried they might get stuck if they can’t find a charging station. Some people are looking at gas-electric hybrids instead because they can still drive when the battery runs out.
Price is another issue. Many people think electric cars are too expensive. The average price for a new electric car is over $52,000, which is more than the average price for all new cars.
Despite the concerns, some people really like their electric cars. Jose Valdez from San Antonio has three electric cars, including a new Mustang. He says they’re worth the money because they’re quiet and cheap to run. He installed a charger at home and uses it for all his cars.
Some people, like Daphne Boyd from Florida, aren’t interested in electric cars at all. She thinks they’re bad for the environment and too expensive. But others, like Ruth Mitchell from Arkansas, love their electric cars and wouldn’t drive anything else.
