Interest in Electric Vehicles (EVs) has fallen, according to a new survey from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). New data shows that only 18 percent of U.S. adults would consider themselves “very likely” or “likely” to buy a new or used EV, down from 23 percent in 2023. 

Sixty-three percent of respondents reported that they are “unlikely or very unlikely” to purchase an EV for their next car purchase. 

“Early adopters who wanted an EV already have one,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive research at AAA. “The remaining group of people who have yet to adopt EVs consider the practicality, cost, convenience and ownership experience, and for some, those are big enough hurdles to keep them from making the jump to fully electric vehicles.”
 
Experts at AAA said one of the main reasons for the drop in interest in EVs was the lack of convenient charging options, coupled with anxiety about how long an electric charge may last. Many respondents said they also found the vehicles' cost prohibitive, while 30 percent also cited the inability to install a charging station where they live. 

AAA stated that for people who live in an apartment or condo, at-home charging options are likely not possible. The organization added that an EV might be a great choice for households with more than two cars, but it might not fit the consumer who has to rely on their car for everyday use and travel. 

The organization believes hybrid options could bridge these gaps, broadening consumer interest in owning an EV. 

The survey found 31 percent of respondents said they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a hybrid, due to fewer anxieties about how long an electric charge might last and the potential disruption to lifestyle and travel plans. 

“Deciding to make-the-leap to full electric may feel overwhelming for many consumers, and a hybrid option may be the way to bridge this gap,” Brannon said. “Consumer demand will ultimately dictate the future, and my prediction is that we will have a mix of EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion vehicles in dealerships and on the roads in the U.S. for many decades ahead.”