The United States has reached a significant milestone in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with over 5% of new car sales being electric, marking the theoretical “tipping point” for widespread adoption. Experts predict that as EVs cross the 5-10% threshold, their sales will surge, eventually reaching up to 80% of new car sales. This trend is already visible in countries like Norway, where 80% of cars sold are electric.
Despite this progress, the U.S. still faces challenges due to public hesitation and inadequate charging infrastructure. A recent poll revealed that 46% of adults prefer gas-powered vehicles, while only 19% opt for fully electric ones. Charging infrastructure expansion and lower EV prices are seen as key factors for future growth.
While the U.S. has about 57,000 public charging stations, it lags behind countries like China, which has embraced EVs with 650,000 chargers. Americans are concerned about charging time and range, with 74% believing that gas-powered cars are better for long trips. Gas-powered vehicles are also perceived as cheaper to purchase and more convenient to refuel.
However, the lower cost of charging an EV is less known, with only 42% of Americans aware of it. Despite these challenges, a majority believes that EVs are better for reducing climate change (59%) and air pollution (70%).
Supply chain issues and labor concerns could potentially slow the transition to EVs. Nonetheless, the “innovation S-curve” suggests that attitudes can change over time, as seen with the adoption of cellphones in the past. Overall, the U.S. EV market is poised for rapid growth, driven by increasing investment from automakers and improving infrastructure.
Here is the Washington Post article to read more.
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