Vehicle Technology Adoption (2024)

FAQs

What is one of the biggest obstacles to the widespread adoption of EVs? ›

Limited Range. One of the most common EV adoption barriers people talk about is the limited range of a charged vehicle.

All forms of electric vehicles (EVs) can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions.

Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. hit a 1-million-unit record in 2023, representing 7.6% of the market. Consumers remain concerned about the limited range of EVs. Freezing temperatures can reduce EV range by 32%. High prices and a lack of variety leave many consumers unenthusiastic.

Technological advances have made vehicles safer, smarter, and more energy-efficient. New cars are packed with high-tech gadgets and features that make driving more comfortable and intuitive. Now, the automotive industry is facing more drastic changes due to the overwhelming interest in electric and hybrid cars.

Four common challenges to expanding electric vehicle adoption among vulnerable populations include cost, home-based charging, vehicle range and affordable housing, rural charging.

Battery issues, climate control, and in-car electronics are among the biggest problems in electric vehicles.

While bigger batteries allow drivers to travel farther between charges, they also make the cars heavier, more dangerous, more expensive, and worse for the planet. The "range anxiety" that has resulted in massive batteries is another reason EVs don't work as a replacement for gas cars.

1. EVs are much better for the climate than gas-powered cars. It's not even close. Over its lifetime, the average new electric vehicle produces about half the greenhouse gas emissions of an equivalent vehicle burning gasoline or diesel.

Besides addressing an important public health hazard, electric vehicles can help communities meet their budget challenges. They can lower vehicle fueling costs by half, or more, thanks to their higher efficiency and the lower cost of electricity per unit of energy delivered compared to gasoline or diesel fuel.

The most obvious reason for consumer disenchantment is the hassle of charging EVs. Few drivers are willing to plan their lives around finding a charging station and waiting around for their battery to top up. During the nation's recent Arctic blast, motorists found that getting a full charge took even longer.

Why are electric cars not selling well? ›

Even as the variety of EV models available rises and prices fall, and the U.S. brings in tax credits, EVs remain much more expensive than their gasoline-powered counterparts. With U.S. interest rates at a two-decade high, the price tag for the average American car shopper is prohibitive.

The survey from Boston Consulting Group found that while nearly 40 percent of U.S. drivers who use only gasoline-powered cars are considering switching to an EV for the first time this year, they could be deterred by the driving ranges and price tags of existing models.

Fewer traffic jams save fuel and reduce greenhouse gases from needless idling. Automated driving systems may reduce unnecessary braking and acceleration that waste fuel. Vehicles with fully automated driving systems may be able to travel more closely together, reducing air drag and thereby reducing fuel use.

The most obvious change for everyday people was that cars gave them a way to get around quickly. Suddenly, people had a new mode of transportation that could get them more places, which meant leisure travel became something common folk could afford.

The automobile gave people more personal freedom and access to jobs and services. It led to development of better roads and transportation. Industries and new jobs developed to supply the demand for automobile parts and fuel. These included petroleum and gasoline, rubber, and then plastics.

The EV industry's biggest challenge is vehicle purchase cost. Electric vehicles are more expensive to build than gasoline-powered ones, primarily because of battery technology. EV batteries must hold a massive charge to provide the minimum range for most owners, requiring expensive raw materials to manufacture.

As discussed in the following sections, the five key EV adoption challenges are: “Range Anxiety” regarding the distance that can be traveled per battery charge. Lack of a widespread charging infrastructure. High upfront costs for EVs, batteries and home charging systems.