Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, with sales rising steadily over the past decade. However, there remains a significant portion of the population that is skeptical or outright opposed to EVs. In this article, we will explore some of the main reasons why many people have reservations about going electric.
Higher Upfront Costs
One of the most frequently cited reasons for opposition to EVs is their high initial purchase price compared to similar gas-powered models. An EV can cost $10,000-$15,000 more upfront than a comparable internal combustion engine vehicle. For many households, this price premium puts EVs out of reach, especially lower and middle income families. With the average price of a new car at around $47,000 in 2022, adding another $10k-$15k is a dealbreaker for budget-conscious buyers.
Gas cars tend to depreciate faster than electric models, so the total cost of ownership over several years can be lower for EVs. But this longer-term savings doesn’t help with the steep initial purchase hurdle. Even with federal tax credits of up to $7,500 and additional state incentives in places like California, the entry price is still too high for many motorists.
Lack of Charging Infrastructure
Range anxiety, or the fear that an EV’s battery will run out before reaching your destination or the next charging station, keeps many drivers wedded to gas vehicles. This anxiety stems in large part from the lack of a robust public charging network in most areas of the country. While charging infrastructure is expanding quickly, large swaths of rural America and smaller metropolitan areas still have few public charging ports.
For EV owners without a home charger, it can be risky and inconvenient to rely solely on public charging. A Department of Energy report from December 2022 found that the U.S. will likely need to expand its charging network significantly to support the influx of new EVs entering the market. Until charging is as convenient and ubiquitous as gas stations, range anxiety will turn many consumers off from making the EV switch.
| Charging Level | Charging Speed |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-5 miles of range per 1 hour of charging |
| Level 2 | 10-20 miles of range per 1 hour of charging |
| DC Fast Charging | 60-100 miles of range in 15-30 minutes of charging |
*Charging speeds vary based on vehicle model and battery size
Lack of Model Availability
The EV market is expanding every year, but inventory remains limited, especially for affordable models. As of early 2023, there are about 30 fully electric models available in the U.S. market. However, many of these are higher end vehicles like the Tesla Model S or Porsche Taycan, with base prices over $60,000.
For mainstream consumers looking for an EV in the $30,000-$40,000 range, pickings are still quite slim. Major automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Ford offer only one or two EV options right now. Limited model availability makes it tough for many interested car shoppers to find an electric vehicle that fits their needs and budget.
Top 5 Best-Selling Affordable EVs in 2022
| Make & Model | Starting MSRP | Total 2022 Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | $46,990 | 128,181 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $43,895 | 39,458 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | $31,500 | 23,554 |
| Nissan Leaf | $27,800 | 14,239 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | $40,760 | 12,088 |
Lack of Knowledge and Misconceptions
Many critics of EVs simply lack correct information about how they work, their environmental benefits, and practical ownership aspects like charging and maintenance. Surveys consistently show car buyers harbor major misconceptions about EVs:
- Range – The average EV today has a range of 200-300 miles per charge – more than enough for most people’s daily driving needs.
- Charging time – With a home charger, EVs can fully recharge overnight. Fast public chargers can add hundreds of miles of range in an hour.
- Performance – Modern EVs are typically faster from 0 to 60 mph than comparable gas cars and have instant torque.
- Maintenance – EVs have far fewer moving parts and fluids than gas vehicles, so they require less scheduled maintenance and have lower repair costs.
- Environmental impact – Even accounting for battery production, EVs generate significantly lower emissions over their full lifecycle than gas vehicles.
This lack of awareness stems in part from the novelty of EV technology. But it also persists due to misinformation campaigns by groups opposed to their adoption. Correcting these knowledge gaps with public education will be key to convincing more consumers to go electric.
Fear of Change and Learning Curve
For many drivers accustomed to gas vehicles, the switch to an EV represents a major change. This leads to anxiety about learning to use new technology and adjusting driving habits. Concerns people commonly express include:
- Learning how to charge – “Is it complicated?”
- Adjusting to different performance – “Will it accelerate and handle differently?”
- Adapting to reduced vehicle noise – “Will it be too quiet?”
- Range anxiety – “What if I can’t find a charging station?”
- New maintenance needs – “Will repairs be difficult and expensive?”
With any new technology, there is a learning curve. But surveys show that after an initial acclimation period, the vast majority of EV drivers are highly satisfied and wouldn’t go back to gas vehicles. Test driving EVs and talking to experienced owners can help alleviate anxiety for potential adopters.
Lack of Political Support
In many politically conservative regions of the U.S., people perceive EVs as an unwelcome technology being imposed by liberal politicians and environmentalists. Some view battling climate change as a lower priority than issues like jobs, immigration, and cost of living. Without political leadership making the case for EVs in terms that resonate locally, skepticism persists.
At the federal level, clean energy tax credits and charging infrastructure funding enjoy bipartisan support. But a few high-profile conservative leaders openly mock and stoke fears about EVs, further turning their constituents against them. Building broad political consensus for electrification will be crucial going forward.
Concerns About Grid Reliability
Widespread EV adoption will place major new demands on local power grids. Each EV represents a significant new source of electricity demand. In areas where the grid is already strained, some utility customers worry EVs will tax the system even further, leading to power outages and infrastructure issues.
However, experts point out the grid impact of EVs is manageable with proper planning and upgrades. The rise of EVs is happening gradually, allowing time to bolster generating capacity and distribution infrastructure. Utilities are also rolling out smart charging technology to optimize when EVs draw power. But more work is needed to reassure the public that the grid can handle an electrified transport sector.
Loss of Personal Freedom and Choice
For many Americans, owning a gas car represents freedom, autonomy, and flexibility. Some see governments promoting EVs as taking away their personal choice of vehicle type. Particularly in rural areas where driving distances are greater, people want the freedom to buy whatever vehicle best fits their needs.
Bans on new internal combustion car sales, which some countries and states are starting to propose for the 2030s timeframe, spark additional backlash among groups fearing restrictions on personal choice. Transition policies emphasizing incentives over mandates could help address these concerns about losing freedom. EV supporters also need to make the case that there will still be plenty of vehicle options as more models become available.
Influence of the Oil Industry
The oil and gas industry views large-scale EV adoption as an existential threat to its business model. As major players in the automotive and political arenas, oil companies have engaged in anti-EV advocacy and disinformation campaigns aimed at protecting their interests and slowing the transition.
Tactics include lobbying against EV incentives, spreading misleading narratives about battery fires, commissioning studies critical of electrification, and arguing EVs are worse for the environment. Where the oil industry still holds major sway, these efforts stir up added public resistance to the EV revolution.
Concerns About Job Impacts
The transition from gas to electric vehicles understandably stirs fears about job losses, especially in auto manufacturing states like Michigan and Ohio. Shifting from complex gas powertrains to simpler electric motors and batteries is expected to require fewer workers in vehicle assembly plants.
However, experts point out that EV manufacturing will also create many new jobs across the supply chain. Building lithium-ion battery cells and packs is a labor-intensive process requiring skilled technicians. Additionally, automakers will need to retrain engine and transmission plant workers to assemble new EV components. Investments in U.S. battery production could also offset offshoring that has hurt auto employment. But more must be done to provide job retraining and reassure labor unions that workers won’t be left in the lurch.
Criticisms of EV Resource Usage
Some EV critics argue that the environmental costs of producing batteries and generating electricity still make them inferior to optimized gas engines. Producing battery packs requires substantial mineral resources like lithium, cobalt, and nickel that must be mined. And EVs charged from a grid with sizable coal generation don’t eliminate tailpipe emissions – they shift them to the power plant smokestack.
However, analyses show that accounting for manufacturing and charging, EVs have a far lower lifetime carbon footprint than gas vehicles in most world regions. Battery recycling will also ease resource usage concerns long-term. Ultimately, decarbonizing both the transport and power generation sectors in tandem is necessary to realize EVs’ full environmental benefits.
Lifetime Emissions of an Average Midsize EV vs. Gas Car
| Vehicle Type | Lifetime Emissions (tons CO2e) |
|---|---|
| Midsize Gas Car | 35 |
| Midsize EV | 15 |
*Based on U.S. average grid emissions
Slow Pace of Innovation
Despite their rising popularity, some tech-oriented consumers feel EVs remain a work in progress. Their complaints include:
- Range and charging times that are still inferior to gas cars
- Lack of fast-charging infrastructure enabling long road trips
- Minimal advanced self-driving capabilities compared to what automakers have promised
- EV model selection that still skews toward luxury vehicles
Essentially, some early adopters are disappointed that EV tech doesn’t yet fully match the convenience we’ve become accustomed to with gas cars over the past century. The pace of innovation will need to pick up in key areas like solid-state batteries and full autonomy to win over these demanding consumers.
Cultural and Social Factors
For enthusiasts of car culture, EVs lack the visceral appeal inherent to loud, powerful gas engines. To this demographic, the high torque and near-silent operation of EVs doesn’t match the sensory thrill of a throaty V8 or high-revving V12 motor.
Additionally, the association of EVs with environmentalism and liberal politics turns off some conservatives. In a divided social landscape, mainstream EV adoption requires winning over gearheads, custom car builders, and others for whom gas vehicles are ingrained in their identity and social circles.
Conclusion
Shifting the entire auto market from gas to electric drivetrains is a monumental transition requiring buy-in across demographics, geographies, and political affiliations. As the barriers to EV adoption outlined here illustrate, many complex technical, economic, and social challenges remain. But understanding the root causes of EV resistance enables policymakers and industry leaders to design targeted solutions.
With smart regulations, incentives, infrastructure investment, education campaigns, and community engagement, concerns about going electric can be steadily overcome. High gas prices, expanding model choices, improving technology and falling EV costs will also naturally turn more consumers on to the benefits over time. The mobility revolution is underway, but thoughtful policy, innovation and persuasion will be needed to bring everyone along in the transition.