Surveying Consumers on Electric Vehicles

A survey conducted by Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists showed that interest in electric cars and trucks is strong across the United States and between different income groups.

The survey shows that 63 percent of Americans are interested in electric vehicles, and that 31 percent would consider one for their next purchase. It’s not only the wealthy: 39 percent of potential buyers making more than $100,000 a year are considering an electric vehicle for their next purchase, but so are 39 percent of those making $50,000 to $99,999 a year, and 31 percent of those making under $50,000 a year.

EV-friendly policies also draw strong support:

• 75 percent or survey respondents want incentives and tax rebates for plug-in electric cars to be available to all consumers in every region and income bracket
• 67 percent say electric utilities should offer discount rates for electric car charging
• 67 percent want their state to invest in electric car charging infrastructure
• 64 percent want their state to electrify public transit, including school buses

Recent analysis from UCS shows that electric vehicles have a lower climate impact than comparable gasoline vehicles. On average, an electric vehicle charged in the United States has a climate impact equivalent to a gasoline vehicle getting 80 miles per gallon—an advantage that’s only growing as EV technology improves and more renewable power comes on to the US electrical grid