A new EPIC poll by the AP-NORC reveals several Americans are not sold on moving to electric for their next cars. Read to know why.
EPIC poll reveals EV shift in the US
A new poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and EPIC, The tEnergy Policy Institute University of Chicago shows the Biden administration’s plans for raising EV slaves may face resistance from buyers. Only eight percent of poll takers stated they or someone in their household leases or owns an EV. Moreover, about eight percent have a plug-in hybrid model. Despite of tax credits up to $7,500 for buying a new EV, it has not been easy to persuade buyers.
Vehicle firms are investing in battery technology to speed up the switch to EVs to fight climate change and reduce pollution. As per the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas proposal, two-thirds of all new vehicles by 2032 should be electric. Unfortunately, as per the EPIC poll, only 19 percent of adults stated they were “very or extremely” likely to buy an EV. 22 percent were “somewhat likely” to buy an electric vehicle for their next vehicle purchase. However, 47 percent refused to buy EVs.
Reasons for the resistance to shifting to electric:
According to six in every 10 people in the US, the high cost is a major reason for not buying an electric vehicle. On the contrary, only 16 percent stated costs were not a factor for rejection. New EVs sold in the US now cost an average of $58,000. The Biden administration was hoping the tax credits under 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act will help in attracting more buyers. However, the new rules proposed by the Treasury Department may qualify fewer EVs for a full $7,500 tax credit offer.
Additionally, as per the EPA poll, 75 percent of the poll takers are refusing to go electric due to the presence of fewer electric charging stations. However, next year EV giant Tesla is going to make some of its charging stations available for all EVs in the US. This combines with Biden’s goal of adding 500,000 EV charging stations across the nation. However, despite getting a tax credit, investing close to $50,000 for a new EV is “too much” money according to people. “Making an impact on climate change is another big reason many would buy an EV, with 35% saying that reducing their personal impact on the climate is a major reason and 31% saying it’s a minor reason,” revealed the report.
