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EVs Seen As Key To Cutting Foreign Oil, But Range Anxiety Remains

Seven out of ten Americans say that it is important to expand the use of electric vehicles as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil, according to results from the latest Market Strategies International E2 (Energy and Environment) Study. 

However, while 70 percent agree that it is important to expand the use of EVs, fewer than half (43 percent) see themselves personally driving one in the next 10 years.

Market Strategies' E2 Study is a national survey designed to gain an understanding of American's attitudes and opinions about energy and environmental issues and how they intersect.

"The findings are enlightening," said Jack Lloyd, a vice president in the Energy Division at Market Strategies.  "Respondents clearly see the importance of EVs but don't necessarily see themselves driving one in the immediate future."

He said the reason may be "range anxiety" -- the concern about a vehicle's range or battery life, how far and for how long it can travel. Concerns about range or battery life were the most frequently mentioned potential roadblocks to the success of EV adoption, mentioned by 28 percent of survey respondents.

"Clearly, the automotive industry has to remove 'range anxiety' from the equation before it can expect wide acceptance of EV technology," said Lloyd. 

The respondents cited several other roadblocks to be overcome before EVs could be successful:

* 20 percent were concerned about the availability of recharging stations and a recharging infrastructure
* 17 percent were concerned about total cost or affordability
* 9 percent were concerned about the cost of the vehicle

Respondents also were strongly supportive of the U.S. energy industry taking steps to accommodate electric vehicles in the future.

* 66 percent support EV recharging infrastructure investment by electric utilities
* 54 percent believe EVs will account for about 20 percent of new vehicles sold in 15-20 years
* 52 percent would like to see their electric utilities take a leadership role to encourage a shift to EVs

This E2 Survey is the ninth wave of a long-term sstudy. For this most recent version, a total of 1,168 interviews were completed Oct. 14-25, with consumers nationwide. The respondents were recruited via an online panel to reflect key characteristics of the U.S. population. The data have been weighted to bring the sample characteristics into even closer alignment with the population and to reflect U.S. Census demographics.

Market Strategies International is a market research and consulting firm specializing in communications, energy, financial services, health care and technology. Its expertise includes customer experience management, product development and optimization, segmentation, messaging and communications testing and brand development and positioning.

More at www.marketstrategies.com.

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