With gas prices steadily increasing, it’s no surprise that Americans are looking for ways to cut back on their gas bill, and one way to do that is with an electric car, which is starting to look better and better to some people.
A new AAA poll finds that 20% of Americans say they will likely go electric with their next car, which amounts to about 50 million people. That number is up from 15% last year, likely do to increased driving ranges and advanced safety features in such vehicles.
One of the biggest reasons folks are skeptical about electric cars is “range anxiety,” but that seems to be on the decline. In fact, while 63% of people say they are unsure about electric cars because there aren’t enough places to charge them, that’s down 9% from last year. Plus, while 58% say they worry about running out of a charge while driving, that number is down 15% from last year.
Overall, range is still one of the most important considerations for consumers when picking an electric vehicle (87%), but it isn’t the only one. Other factors include
- Reliability (92%)
- Crash ratings (77%)
- Cost (71%)
- Acceleration and handling (69%)
- Advanced safety technology (60%)
- Color or design (34%)
- Brand (33%)
Source: AAA