Blame it on culture.
This is one conclusion from new report by automotive research firm JATO Dynamics, which is looking into what’s keeping electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. “on the slow track.”
The report explains why sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have increased in the US. behind China and Europe. China accounts for more than half of global demand for electric vehicles, while Europe accounts for 22% and the US for just 12%.
Researchers have drawn attention to Americans’ penchant for gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks.
“More than China and Europe, the United States faces a particular challenge in overcoming a culture of internal combustion engine dependence, driven primarily by relatively low fuel prices and consumer preference for larger vehicles,” according to the JATO report. “Because of higher retail prices for BEVs and the comparatively low cost of operating an ICE vehicle in the U.S., there is currently no strong financial incentive to encourage consumers to switch to electric.”
The report also points to a lack of reliable charging options. In 2022, almost 90% of the global growth in fast chargers came from China. In 2022, the number of fast chargers in Europe increased by 55% compared to the same period last year. In the US, fast charger growth increased 9% in 2022, the lowest “among other major markets.”
The researchers acknowledged that the rollout of toll infrastructure is slated to accelerate thanks to an influx of federal investment, but found that initiatives such as National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programs are “currently insufficient to meet the surge in demand expected in the coming years.”
A few more culprits: The US doesn’t offer many affordable electric vehicles; many American automakers struggling to scale BEV production as they incur heavy losses in their electric business; and the researchers suggested that some aspects of the Inflation Relief Act could “inadvertently make it more difficult for manufacturers…to expand domestic production due to supply chain constraints.”
Separately, electric vehicle charging company FLO shared information about consumers’ EV charging habits based on surveys of nearly 40,000 EV drivers in the U.S. and Canada.
Some moments:
- 60% rely on fast chargers during “long trips,” suggesting that fast charging is “a must for most EV drivers.”
- More than half said they use on-site amenities such as restaurants and shops when they charge.
- About 30% do not have a charger at home.
The data “demonstrates the need for more reliable charging solutions across North America, allowing drivers to connect to the grid wherever they are – at work, at home or on the road,” FLO CEO Louis Tremblay said in a statement.
This article originally appeared V Technical beerbranch Morning beer.