Are you included? US study names likely EV buyers

• 7 out of 10 Americans interested in buying an EV
• Millenials were most positive about buying electric cars
• 48% said a lack of charging infrastructure was an EV deterrent
• 480km-plus EV range increased the appeal of electric cars

This may not shock you, but a new US survey of electric vehicle buying intentions finds the younger you are and the more charging networks grow the more likely you are to opt for an EV.

The survey, compiled by the consumer rights and product testing organisation Consumer Reports, found that seven out of 10 US drivers have some sort of interest in buying an electric car at some point.

OK, that might sound a bit hazy, but it’s at least headed in the right direction for all those vehicle brands that are developing EVs for the US and global markets, including Australia.

All up, Consumer Reports surveyed 3392 adults with driving licenses between July 29 and August 12.

Only four percent said their next vehicle purchase would definitely be an EV, 27 percent said they would consider it.

A further 40 percent said they had some interest in purchasing an EV in the future, but not necessarily their next vehicle. A substantial 29 percent said they had no interest in going electric.

Millennials (born 1981 to 1996 approx) were most positive about EVs, with 37 percent saying they would consider an electric car for their next vehicle purchase.

Generation X  (1965 to 1980 approx) declined to 31 percent and baby boomers (1946 to 1965) to 25 percent. Interest dropped to 21 percent amongst those born from 1928 to 1946.

The motivation to buy an EV lifted as vehicle driving range between recharges lifted to 300 miles (480km) or more, the survey found.

Increased cost competitiveness with ICE vehicles in terms of purchase price, maintenance and refuelling was another key motivator.

Charging at home was seen as a big plus, with 72 percent of respondents saying they would do just that. But 48 percent also said not enough public charging stations was a deterrent to them buying an EV.

“Drivers are used to plentiful gas stations, and may not realise that if they have a personal garage or driveway, they’ll be doing most of their charging at home,” Chris Harto, senior sustainability policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said in a media release.

“Even though our research shows that the typical driver would do as little as six stops at a public charging station per year, a more robust network of fast-charging stations would help alleviate buyers’ concerns about switching to an electric vehicle.”

Fifty-five percent of those surveyed agreed the onus fell on government to increase the availability of plug-in vehicle public charging stations.

Speaking of government and politics, 79 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of Republicans said they had at least some interest in EVs.

At last, they agree on something!