AAA Survey Shows Fewer Going Electric; CA Shows EV Sales Strong

WALNUT CREEK, CA — While a recent survey of prospective car buyers nationwide showed America's interest in electric vehicles was losing power, another indicator shows more Californians than ever before are buying EVs.

Just 18 percent of polled consumers said they would be "likely" or "very likely" to buy a used or new EV, a drop from the 23 percent the same survey found one year ago, according to Walnut Creek-based AAA, which conducted the survey.

"Early adopters who wanted an EV already have one," said Greg Brannon, AAA's director of automotive research. "The remaining group of people who have yet to adopt EVs consider the practicality, cost, convenience and ownership experience, and for some, those are big enough hurdles to keep them from making the jump to fully electric."

Interest in hybrid vehicles was higher with 31 percent of respondents saying they were "likely" or "very likely" to purchase a hybrid as their next vehicle.

The Survey Says...

Why Are Americans Unplugged?

• Cost. The higher purchase price was the largest single reason for respondents preferring gas-powered vehicles at 60 percent.
• Infrastructure. Lack of convenient places to charge —54 percent — and inability to install charging stations at home —30 percent — were cited as common barriers.
• Maintenance costs. More than half —57 percent — of respondents expressed concerns over battery costs for repair or replacement.

"Deciding to make the leap to full electric may feel overwhelming for many consumers, and a hybrid option may be the way to bridge this gap," Brannon said. "Consumer demand will ultimately dictate the future, and my prediction is that we will have a mix of EVs, hybrids and internal combustion vehicles in dealerships and on the roads in the US for many decades ahead."

AAA's Tips For EV Owners

• Make sure you're covered: AAA Northern California offers mobile charging to take some of the range anxiety away. Mobile battery trucks can service AAA members with dead batteries on the roadside, without the need for towing.
• Know where you can plug in: The AAA Mobile app helps drivers find charging stations near them on their phone and on Apple CarPlay. It also lets them request roadside assistance.

AAA Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted April 4-8 and provides sample coverage of approximately 97 percent of the U.S. household population, AAA said. There were 1,152 people 18 and older who completed the survey. Most people took the survey online; while consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.

'EV Transition In Full Swing In California'

On the other hand, a recent news release from the California Energy Commission indicated Californian's EV transition was in full swing. According to the commission, in the first four months of 2024, Golden State residents and businesses purchased 102,507 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) — the most ever for the first quarter of any year.

Since Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order calling for all new car sales to be zero-emission by 2035, ZEV sales have risen dramatically. One in every four new cars sold last quarter in California was zero-emission. Earlier this year, the state surpassed its goal of selling 1.5 million ZEVs. To date, 1,872,429 EVs and ZEVs have been sold in the state.

Although more than 100,000 public or shared private EV chargers are installed throughout the state and another 500,000 at-home chargers are installed behind closed doors, the state recently approved a $1.9 billion plan to build a bigger, better charging network.

The success of the state's programs has led to ZEVs becoming a top export and has spurred major advances in manufacturing and job creation — with 60 ZEV manufacturers based in California.

"The EV transition is in full swing with nearly one in four California car shoppers choosing to go electric over the last year resulting in record sales," said David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission. "This is good news for all Californians as our success delivers cleaner air statewide and drives significant investment in our emerging zero-emission vehicle industry."