Survey Says Americans Are Ignorant About Electric Cars

The average American knows little to nothing about electric cars, according to a new report from Altman Vilandrie & Company. After surveying people living in the United States, it was concluded 60 percent “were unaware about electric cars.”

Wow, 60 percent. It’s like these people have never heard of Tesla, the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, nothing.

Although not as shocking, the company fond 80 percent of people have never driven or ridden in an EV. To say Americans are largely ignorant about electrified cars would be fair, if this data is accurate. Electric vehicle news site Inside EVs is questioning its validity, saying the numbers don’t square with surveys conducted in the past, which show a greater level of knowledge about EVs among the general population. So maybe Americans aren’t so ignorant after all?

The survey also found that the younger and richer you are, the more likely you are to get an EV. Nothing surprising there.

Some other interesting points from the survey highlighted why many people haven’t jumped on the electric car bandwagon. Among the top reasons is the perceived high cost of EVs, the lack of public charging options and the time it takes to recharge the battery.

With the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3 should help with the first point. As more people buy those vehicles, adoption could grow quickly. Altman Vilandrie & Company found 60 percent of people who’ve ridden in or driven an EV liked it. So as people experience their friend’s Model 3 or Bolt, they might go pick one up for themselves.