A survey of consumers in New Jersey and other northeastern states reveals that 55% have no intention of ever purchasing a fully electric vehicle (EV), despite impending government mandates that will prohibit the sale of new gas-powered cars in the near future.
In New Jersey, EVs must constitute 51% of all new cars sold by 2027. This requirement will increase annually, leading to a complete ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Similar mandates are set to be implemented in other northeastern states, including New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Delaware.
However, an AAA Northeast survey found that a majority of consumers in the region remain reluctant to transition to EVs. According to the survey, 55% have no plans to purchase an EV at any point. Meanwhile, 37% indicated they either already own an EV or plan to buy one by 2035, and 8% stated they would consider purchasing one after 2036.
“Auto manufacturers hoping to boost EV sales over the next decade have reason for optimism,” Shani Jarvis, outreach manager for AAA Northeast said. “But industry stakeholders seeking a complete long-term transition to electric face serious obstacles – especially from consumers who have no desire to make the switch.”
The survey highlighted several consumer concerns regarding EVs. These include higher prices compared to traditional vehicles, anxiety about driving range before needing a recharge, and worries about the scarcity of public charging stations. Consumers expressed a desire for faster chargers and charging stations located in safe areas since recharging an EV currently takes significantly longer than refueling a gas-powered car.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 24% of non-EV owners lack confidence in their ability to operate an electric vehicle. The differences in braking and acceleration between EVs and gas-powered cars contribute to this hesitation.
Interestingly, familiarity with current EV owners seems to impact confidence levels. People who know someone who owns an EV were generally more confident (48%) in their ability to operate one compared to those who do not know any EV owners (28%).
“It’s understandable that people might not feel comfortable hopping in an electric car and taking it for a spin if their whole driving career has been in gas-powered vehicles,” Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast said on Thursday. “It’s worth seeing if you can take a test drive at a dealership or at an EV community event to get a taste of what it would be like to have one.”
