Almost every major car manufacturer has electric vehicles (EVs) in the works, but they may be in for some trouble ahead. A new survey shows that though more than half of consumers may consider buying an electric car, almost no one is willing to pay extra for it. Only 9 percent of respondents would pay even $2,000 more for an EV, reports Automotive News. This isn’t just a U.S. study either. It was conducted in by surveying 13,500 people in 17 different countries.
In the U.S., 54 percent of respondents were willing to consider an EV, but 78 percent of people wouldn’t spend over $30,000 for one. Moreover, the current crop of EVs may not be good enough. Most consumers want at least 200 miles on a single battery charge, but early models are only achieving about 100. Finally, charging time has to be under two hours. Current vehicles take up to 8 hours to get a full charge on a 240-volt system and up to 20 hours on a standard 110-volt electric plug.
So what does all this mean? Well, maybe nothing, but electric cars could face a some problems unless they hit the price and range of gas vehicles. Then, of course, there’s the problem of charging stations. We’re going to need to litter the country with them, but the process will take years. All in all, it looks like we might spend the better part of this decade warming up to electric cars.
What do you think? Would you buy an EV. If so, what range and price would it have to hit?
“So what does all this mean? Well, maybe nothing,”… Kinda says it all.
78% won’t pay over $30k? Well what % can/will pay over $30k for any car?
Of course it will take awhile for consumers to warm up to something that means changing habits. We spent the last 10 yrs warming up to hybrids and now they’re the go-to vehicle for fuel-efficiency in this country.
I’m glad Nissan had the stones to offer a full electric car. They need to be out there mixing it up with the ICEs for about 5 yrs to catch on. After owning a LEAF for 8K miles, I’ve come to enjoy the smooth, quick ride so much I can’t envision ever buying a non plug-in car again. Don’t miss the weekly trips to inhale gasoline fumes and export $$ much either. EVs aren’t perfect personal commute appliances, but close.
Yes, we just bought a Nissan LEAF as our only car. We are getting a $7,500 tax credit plus paid no sales tax (in WA State), plus got an almost free charger installed by the Ecotality program (I think this program expires at the end of 2011). If you subtract the tax credit and the sales tax from the cost of the car, we figure that we paid around $24,900. Our old car should sell for about $6K, so our ‘out of pocket’ cost is about $18,900.
Still very expensive, but we think it is extremely important to stop putting CO2 into the air so our children and grandchildren and their children’s children will still have a place to live in the future.
There is an 8 year warranty on the battery, although it is not entirely clear what that will cover. long-term, the cost of running this car is significantly lower than an internal combustion car, and the maintenance is much simpler – no oil changes, no carburetor, no fuel injection system, no tailpipe, only a single speed transmission. And the bonus is, this is a luxurious and extremely fun to drive car! No waiting to accelerate – you just kind of glide quietly and smoothly around.
This article highlights the short-term thinking the average Joe exhibits. Paying more now to save in the long run is seldom a consideration for the average consumer. Not even $2,000 more? Wow that is very myopic and ignorant. With current incentives and short EV supply it would be foolish not to buy at $2,000 more.
The instant gratification culture we find ourselves in is the antithesis of investing now to save in the future.
Ian: thanks :) Jeff: see http://theexpiredmeter.com/2011/09/nissan-leaf-sets-bar-high-for-electric-vehicles/ for one person’s experience with his test drive of the Leaf.
You should. You’ll be pleasantly surprised :) I will admit though the range is a problem for those who have long-distance daily commutes. For your reading pleasure: http://theexpiredmeter.com/2011/09/nissan-leaf-sets-bar-high-for-electric-vehicles/
Ian: have you test driven a Leaf yet?
I haven’t, but I am willing to give it a test drive!
It would be interesting to see if they feel different than a gas-powered car. I haven’t driven one yet.
According to my husband (and more than a few of his friends who were skeptical about the idea of driving an electric car), it certainly was different – different in that it had much better pickup than a gas-powered car :) You should definitely test drive one to see for yourself.
Yes, electric cars might not have a super fast 0-60 time, but there is no engine lag. Instant torque so it feels like you launch instantly.
By the way Gloria – welcome to the site! :)
You should upload an avatar/picture for your icon!
Feel really retarded for asking this question…but how do I upload a picture for my icon?! There’s no “account settings” at all for this site! I signed in through FB so do I have to go back to the FB app to do this? (Btw I did go to the FB DT app and couldn’t find it either!)
Hi Gloria,
At the top of the site, there is a Edit Profile link to the right of your name if you are logged in.
Just click that link. You can upload your own picture, or you can choose your FaceBook profile picture.
Go for it Ian! Once you have driven one, you will want to own it.
I have been driving a Prius since 2005 and my husband has a Leaf since May (before that he had a Yamaha Vino and a Chrysler minivan which he drove minimally). Couldn’t be happier with our choices.
What gets me is all these corporations have had this technology for at least 50 years and all they have done is make it smaller and they expect to get double the price of a conventional vehicle. Why??? We as s race need to see that all are hurting and lower prices across the board before we price ourselves out of life as we know it. Just a thought…