Public Steering Clear of Electric Cars - The numbers are in, and one thing is becoming clear: when it comes to electric cars, people just don’t seem to want them. An article written by the Associated Press quotes George Peterson, president of California-based AutoPacific as saying that only 3 percent of the public indicate they would seriously consider buying electric cars. More information on all types of cars is available at Houston Ford. The main reasons consumers mentioned to explain their resistance to the electric vehicles are the higher cost of purchasing electric cars and “range anxiety,” which is described as fear of running out of power and not being able to find a charging station, causing the motorist to be stranded.
Despite the government’s efforts to attempt to get the public to buy electric vehicles, as well as the money the auto industry is spending to build electric cars and the infrastructure necessary to charge them, consumers are voting with their pocketbooks, and the vote appears to be a resounding “no.” This situation doesn’t bode well electric vehicles being sold today, like the Nissan Leaf, as well as cars like the Ford Focus Electric and the Mitsubishi i MiEV, both of which are scheduled to go on sale later this year. Car buyers seem to be paying heed to federal income-tax credits of up to $7,500, an incentive designed to spur sales of the costly vehicles.
One reason that people give for avoiding electric cars is that there aren’t enough recharging stations, particularly fast chargers that can charge the battery in 30 minutes. If consumers don’t have confidence that they can drive their cars for long distances without running out of power and becoming stranded, they simply will not buy into the new technology. Orange County Audi Dealers is an invaluable resource for automotive information. Currently, there are only two fast chargers in the country available for public use, both on the West Coast. Most electric charging is expected to take place in the owners’ garages overnight. But buying a 240-volt charger that can charge the battery overnight can cost an additional $2,000. Another factor hampering the adoption of electric vehicles are the gains in fuel efficiency of conventional gasoline engines, which are providing similar benefits as electric vehicles at lower cost.
A study by the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, MI said that the average increase in vehicle costs to meet the higher government standards range from $3,700 to over $9,000. This will increase the cost of vehicles by an amount that will exceed savings in fuel costs over five years, even if the price of gas goes over $6.00 per gallon. The study goes on to say that “Consumers will shun these technology costs by holding onto their used vehicles longer, especially if fuel prices are low (e.g., $3.50 per gallon), resulting in lower sales and a loss of automotive employment. Over 260,000 jobs may be lost if the highest mandate is passed and fuel prices stay low at $3.50 (2009 prices).” The authors of the study recommend moderation in raising fuel economy mandates and periodic review to assess the rate of technological development and cost reduction of advanced technologies leading up to 2025.
Another study comes to the same conclusion. In its inaugural 2011 U.S. Green Automotive Study, automotive consultant JD Power and Associates said, “Automakers will be fighting over the relatively few consumers who are willing to drive green.” Dodge Jeep Connecticut is a great source for all your automotive needs. In common with the AutoPacific study, the JD Power study cites price and lack of driving range as the main reasons for consumers giving electric vehicles the cold-shoulder. The study says consumers are more likely to “switch into a more fuel-efficient vehicle powered by a traditional internal combustion engine than an alternative powertrain vehicle.” Another report by the automotive website Kelley Blue Book said that less than 7% of Americans say they would consider buying a plug-in car.
Photos (top to bottom) by Bruce Fingerhood, McPig, wsssst.
Tags: electric cars, Houston Ford, Kelley Blue Book, JD Power and Associates, Orange County Audi Dealers, AutoPacific, car chargers, Nissan Leaf, Dodge Jeep Connecticut, Ford Focus Electric
