Consumer interest in fully electric vehicles in the United States has fallen to its lowest level since 2019, according to a new survey by the American Automobile Association (AAA), despite a growing number of electric vehicle models entering the market.
The survey found that only 16% of U.S. adults are either “very likely” or “likely” to purchase a battery-electric vehicle as their next car, while 63% said they are “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to do so—the highest level of reluctance recorded since 2022.
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Cost and Charging Remain Key Concerns
AAA said consumers continue to cite vehicle affordability and ownership costs as major barriers to EV adoption.
According to the survey, 62% of respondents identified high battery repair costs as a concern, while 59% pointed to the higher purchase price of electric vehicles.
Other leading concerns included the suitability of EVs for long-distance travel (57%), the availability of convenient public charging stations (56%), and the possibility of running out of battery power while driving (55%).
Among respondents who remain undecided or unlikely to purchase an EV, 31% expressed safety concerns, 27% cited difficulties installing home charging equipment, and 12% pointed to uncertainty surrounding government tax credits and purchase incentives.
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AAA also noted that its 2024 Your Driving Cost analysis ranked battery-electric vehicles as having the second-highest total ownership costs, primarily due to depreciation, financing expenses and purchase prices.
Fuel Savings Continue to Attract Buyers
Despite declining overall interest, respondents who remain interested in electric vehicles continue to identify lower operating costs as a major benefit.
Savings on gasoline, environmental considerations and reduced maintenance costs were the three most common reasons cited for considering an EV purchase.
AAA’s cost analysis found that electric vehicles have the lowest fuel costs among all vehicle types, based on an average U.S. electricity price of 15.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. EVs also recorded the lowest maintenance costs compared with conventional vehicle categories.
However, expectations for the future of electric mobility have weakened. The proportion of Americans who believe most vehicles on U.S. roads will be electric within the next decade has fallen from 40% in 2022 to 23% in the latest survey.
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Interest in purchasing EVs to benefit from tax credits and rebates has also declined, dropping from 60% among prospective EV buyers last year to 39% this year.
Hybrids Seen as an Alternative
AAA suggested that hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles may offer a more attractive transition for consumers who remain hesitant about fully electric vehicles.
By combining electric propulsion with conventional internal combustion engines, hybrid models can reduce range anxiety while lowering fuel consumption and emissions.
Greg Brannon, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering, said consumer sentiment toward electric vehicles continues to fluctuate despite the expanding range of available models.
“Since we began tracking interest in fully electric vehicles, we’ve seen some variability.”
He added:
“While the automotive industry is committed to long-term electrification and providing a diverse range of models, underlying consumer hesitation remains.”
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