More than 30 million Americans are likely to buy an electric vehicle as their next car, with increased sales, longer driving ranges and lower costs playing a large factor, according to a recent report by the American Automobile Association (AAA).
“With their lower ownership costs and compatibility with emerging autonomous technologies, electric vehicles are poised to be a key vehicle of the future,” Greg Brannon, AAA director of Automotive Engineering, said. “Tesla — a standout in AAA’s evaluations — has helped widen the appeal of electric vehicles by showing they can be stylish, performance-focused and filled with cutting-edge technology.”
Gas prices have reached the lowest level they have been in five years, but customer interest in electric vehicles and hybrids have remained constant, the report said. Approaching the number of individuals planning to buy a pickup truck, AAA reported that 15 percent of customers are likely to buy an electric vehicle as their next automotive purchase. One in five millennials are also interested in going electric for their next car.
The primary factor in the desire for electric vehicles remains to be concern for the environment, but AAA also reports that longer drive times, want for new technology and carpool lane access are influential. For all vehicle purchase considerations, the report found that fuel economy, cost, crash rating and performance were among the most important factors in the decision-making process. Other considerations included safety technology, brand, color and design, and smartphone connectivity.
“While desire for green vehicles is strong, making the leap to an electric, hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicles can be daunting to car shoppers,” Megan McKernan, manager of Automotive Research Center, said. “AAA’s rigorous evaluations help take the guesswork out by providing an unbiased evaluation of these vehicles based on more than a dozen individual criteria.”