Today, the Pew Research Center released a report commenting on the opinions that American customers hold regarding the idea of phasing out combustion-engine vehicles by the year 2035. Thus, the report finds that opinion is highly divided, and many are still on the fence about whether they would purchase an electric car or truck.
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Indeed, Pew Research Center found that 47% of U.S. adults support a proposal to phase out the production of gasoline-powered cars and trucks. On the contrary, 51% oppose it.
Similarly, about four-in-ten Americans (39%) say that they are at least somewhat likely to consider electric seriously the next time they purchase a vehicle. On the other hand, about 46% say they are not too or at all likely to do so. Only 14% are not expecting to purchase a car or truck in the future.
The results
In fact, just 7% of U.S. adults say they currently own an electric or hybrid vehicle. Accordingly, most of these owners (72%) say they are very (43%) or somewhat (29%) likely to seriously consider an electric car or truck the next time around.
Worth noting, Pew Research Center’s research found that three-in-ten Americans who describe themselves as knowing a lot about electric vehicles are more divided about their openness to going the electric vehicle route. Therefore, 53% of this group are at least somewhat likely to consider an EV purchase in the future; while 39% say they are not too or at all likely to do so.
Generational groups also mark a differentiator. Thus, millennials born between 1981 and 1996 are more open to considering purchasing an electric vehicle, particularly in comparison with Baby Boomer and older adults.
Pew Research Center on the results – divided answers
Similarly, the same survey showed that younger generations are more receptive to the idea of phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles. Therefore, most Gen Z (56%) and Millennial (57%) adults favor phasing out new gas-powered cars by 2035. In contrast, the center found lower shares on Gen X (45%) and Baby Boomer and older (38%) Americans regarding the same question.
Accordingly, the public’s views on electric vehicles at this stage appear clear on two counts, says Pew Research Center. Thus, roughly two-thirds of Americans (67%) say that electric cars and trucks are better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles. However, a similar share (66%) sees electric vehicles as hitting a higher price point.
Finally, when it comes to the emotionally driven reactions to driving an electric vehicle, a majority call it a toss-up. Thus, 62% say the driving experience is about the same between gas- and electric-powered vehicles. On the other hand, 13% call EVs more fun to drive, and 21% give the fun edge to gas-powered cars.
