Summary
- New survey shows changing attitudes towards EV adoption in the US
- US consumers are willing to wait up to 40 minutes for an EV charge
- Majority prefer dedicated EV charging stations over gas stations with chargers
- Most EV drivers plan to charge at home, do not require frequent fast charging
- Shift in thinking from previous studies that cited charge times and cost as barriers to EV adoption
Article
The roadblocks to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the United States have long been cited as long charging times and a lack of available public charging stations. However, a new survey by Deloitte indicates that attitudes towards EV charging may be changing among U.S. consumers. The survey included responses from over 31,000 consumers in thirty different countries and found that many U.S. consumers are willing to wait up to 40 minutes to charge their car from zero to 80%, which is within the fast-charging capabilities of most current EVs.
While fast-charging time was found to be the most important factor in the EV charging experience for respondents, a majority were still willing to wait 21-40 minutes for a charge. Location preferences also played a role, with 44% of respondents preferring a dedicated EV charging station over a gas station with chargers, which was preferred by only 15% of respondents. Additionally, the study found that most U.S. consumers who plan to buy an EV intend to charge at home, indicating that frequent fast charging may not be a priority for many EV owners.
The study’s findings are different from a previous study by Deloitte, which concluded that EV charge times and cost could be major deterrents for consumers. However, the newer survey suggests that EVs may exceed consumer expectations in the near future. The list of vehicles with short road-trip charge times is growing, and companies like Toyota are working on technology that could potentially lead to 10-minute charge times with solid-state batteries. This shift in consumer attitudes towards EV charging could signal a positive trend for the future of EV adoption.
Despite the positive shift in attitudes towards EV charging, the survey also revealed that a significant portion of U.S. consumers do not currently have access to a charger, with 58% of survey respondents stating this. Additionally, 35% of consumers said they only drive more than 60 miles from their home once or twice per month, while 23% said they never drive that far. These findings indicate that while EV charging preferences may be changing among consumers, there is still a need for increased access to charging infrastructure to support widespread adoption of EVs.
Overall, the Deloitte survey suggests that U.S. consumers are becoming more open to longer charging times and are willing to wait for their EVs to charge, indicating a shift in attitudes towards EV adoption. With advancements in EV technology and the potential for faster charge times on the horizon, EVs may be poised to exceed consumer expectations in the coming years. However, continued investment in charging infrastructure will be necessary to support this growth and ensure that consumers have access to convenient charging options wherever they go.
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