28% of Americans still won't consider buying an EV

More than a quarter of Americans say they would not buy an electric vehicle, according to a Consumer Reports survey released Thursday.

Price, range and access to charging stations remained the main obstacles to buying an electric vehicle. But Consumer Reports has identified a new factor: a lack of information about electric vehicles.

The survey of 8,027 adults found that 14% would definitely buy or lease an electric-only vehicle, 57% would consider buying one, and 28% would not consider buying a vehicle electric only. Age, income and education levels correlate with willingness to drive one.

According to the survey, the lack of information on available tax incentives, environmental impact and operation of an electric vehicle is an important factor in the adoption of electric vehicles. Nearly half of Americans (46%) have not heard of any incentives available to electric vehicle owners.

“Some of us have questions about the transition to electric vehicles because many of us don’t know about them,” said Dr. Quinta Warren, associate director of sustainability policy for Consumer Reports. . “Expanding charging options and increasing incentives, combined with education campaigns and getting more people to experience electric vehicles firsthand, can all help drive adoption. ."

Asked about the top three concerns when buying or leasing an electric vehicle, 61% of respondents said they were concerned about charging logistics, 55% said they would be concerned the number of kilometers the vehicle can travel before needing to be recharged and 52% mentioned the costs associated with buying, owning and maintaining an electric vehicle.