While a record 1.1 million electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year, according to Cox Automotive, EVs still account for a small portion of the automobiles on the roads.
Internal combustion engine cars outsell EVs by a wide margin. And that’s unlikely to change any time soon.
Here are 16 reasons why many Americans will stick with their internal combustion engine rides.
Consumers Still Unimpressed
According to the International Energy Agency, nearly 14 million new EVs were registered worldwide last year, bringing their total tally on the roads to 40 million. But ask the average American whether they care. The reality is many are playing the wait-and-see game. All they know is EVs are expensive and take a long time to charge.
Range Anxiety Remains
While you can get an EV with 300, 400, or 500 miles of range, many offer much less. Could you keep range anxiety at bay in an EV offering 150 miles before requiring a pit stop at an EV charging station? Many Americans say, “No.” And even if you get one offering more range, you’ll pay through the nose to achieve the mileage you can easily get with a traditional vehicle.
Meanwhile, you can get a so-called econobox offering 500, 600, or 700 miles on a single tank of gas or diesel. And you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg. It’s a no-brainer for a lot of drivers.
Long Waits at EV Charging Stations
The U.S. Department of Transportation says that direct current fast charging equipment can charge EVs to 80% in 20 to 60 minutes. While that spells progress for the EV industry, it’s not moving the needle for U.S. motorists who can fill their gas tanks in five or so minutes.
Too Few EV Models
While the number of EV models sold in the U.S. market is growing, that’s not necessarily saying much, considering the vast array of internal combustion engine vehicle models available. Some consumers won’t consider EVs because they don’t like the relatively limited number of options.
EVs Not As Reliable as the Industry Says They Are
EVs from the last three model years had almost 80% more issues than regular vehicles, Consumer Reports said in 2023. While EVs have fewer moving parts and are regarded as more reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles, EV abstainers know what’s up.
Ranges Drop When Towing
Depending on the source you consult, EVs can lose up to 50% of their range when towing. That’s enough to turn off many drivers who otherwise might consider purchasing one.
Ranges Drop During the Winter
Some EVs can lose as much as 30% of their range in frigid temperatures. So, if you typically get 300 miles of range in an EV, expect that to drop to 210 miles when the winter rolls around. That can suck pretty badly if you have an EV with an already unimpressive range.
EVs Cost More Upfront
The average cost to charge an EV is $485 annually. That’s not much when considering the average cost to fuel a traditional vehicle is $1,117 annually. While that’s a win for EVs, many Americans can’t overlook the higher upfront cost of an EV over a regular car.
Home Charging Setup is Costly
Charging at home is one of the selling points for EVs. But getting a Level 2 charger that’ll charge within a reasonable time can cost thousands of dollars. It can get even costlier if you must upgrade your home’s electrical system to accommodate EV charging.
Charging Infrastructure Scarcity
Another reason some Americans won’t jump on the EV bandwagon is that the charging infrastructure, while better than it was a few years ago, isn’t yet what it should be. Depending on where people are located, EV charging stations might be few and far between.
Replacing EV Batteries is Too Costly
Recurrent reports that replacing an EV battery out of warranty can cost $6,500 to $20,000. That’s enough for many people to say, “No thanks,” when asked if they’d buy an EV.
Depreciation is Real
EVs depreciate at a faster clip than vehicles with gas or diesel engines. And you won’t escape depreciation with a used EV either since the average used EV depreciates 10 times quicker than cars with gas engines. Who can afford to eat that kind of depreciation?
Charging Stations Can Be Unreliable
While the EV charging network is improving, there are too many instances where drivers go to these stations and find that some chargers are non-operational.
People Don’t Want to Feel Like Guinea Pigs
Some people avoid EVs because they don’t want to feel like guinea pigs. They want to see how things play out over the next few years before deciding whether to try EVs.
Green Stigma
While more people want to be good stewards of the environment, some Americans veer away from EVs because they think driving one makes too much of a political statement. They might want to avoid association with tree-hugging environmentalists who blame regular cars for everything wrong with the environment today.
Possible Vulnerabilities
Yet another reason some people avoid EVs is that they’re spooked about hackers accessing their vehicles and wreaking havoc. Since EVs are part of the Internet of Things, you can’t rule out the possibility of remote hacking.
EVs Aren’t for Everybody
For these and other reasons, some Americans will never sit behind the wheel of an EV. It remains to be seen how the EV space will evolve over the years. Who knows? Some motorists who swear they’ll never buy one might come around and give them a try — or maybe not.
More From Driver’s Drift
GM Recalling 450,000 Trucks and SUVs: Here’s What You Need to Know
15 Used Cars To Steer Clear of at All Costs
15 Vehicles That Leave Owners With Buyer’s Remorse
15 Things Boomers Taught Us About Cars Which are Totally Wrong Today
