*Automobile dealers and other stakeholders have observed electric vehicle sales are rising, but said deals still make up an microscopic part of the market

Emmanuel Akosile | 绿帽献妻

In regard to government mandates, several automakers have committed to an electric vehicle future in spite of the fact that consumers have yet to fully embrace these electric vehicles (EVs).

绿帽献妻, however, learnt the industry executives remain hopeful that consumers will eventually come around.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pendragon, a major car dealer group, agrees that consumers remain hesitant about EVs, but sees signs of increased EV adoption, agency report stated.

Bill Berman, while featuring on CNBC in the week, was quoted to have said that he remains a big fan of EVs but understands why some people are not.

Berman explained: 鈥淧eople鈥檚 hesitancy … around electric is multifaceted.

鈥淔irst off, it鈥檚 unknown 鈥� no one鈥檚 ever driven an electric car so there鈥檚 a lot of uncertainty that goes along with that.

鈥淭here鈥檚 range anxiety which most consumers call out. Even though 鈥� most consumers drive less than 50 miles a day, knowing that you can鈥檛 easily refuel your vehicle creates hesitancy.鈥�

Doris, a Nissan Leaf owner from Hastings, Florida, has been living with what she describes as limited range in her EV.

On how range is going down, Doris wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review that 鈥減urchased with 7,000 miles on it December of 2012.

鈥淗ad about 70 miles range driving in Florida. Now has 80,000 miles, had the battery repaired under warranty in 2016.

鈥淚t has iffy 50 miles range. Really have to observe speed and estimated range.鈥�

Report indicates that it is worth noting that Doris鈥� review suggests she still likes EVs but would like to have something with more range.

Although car dealers would undoubtedly like to see consumers buy more EVs, the numbers have moved sharply higher since 2011, according to report.

The US Department of Energy reports sales, for instance, increased from around 17,000 in 2011 to 361,315 in 2018. But sales dipped slightly in 2019.

J.D. Power鈥檚 2020 Mobility Confidence Index Study flashed a caution sign to the auto industry.

It warned that manufacturers are plowing ahead producing cars that, so far, most car buyers have not asked for.

Despite improvements in technology and expanding charging infrastructure, the survey found that even consumers who have previously owned an electric vehicle aren鈥檛 always interested in buying another one.

They cited the limited driving range, the high maintenance cost, and the purchase price as their main objections.

Berman stated he believes improvements in charging stations hold a key to overcoming hesitancy among consumers.

However, he notes there are challenges in getting there because most homes are not equipped for rapid charging.

He noted: 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of the proverbial 鈥榗hicken and egg鈥� but as more electric vehicles are sold and more infrastructure is put in 鈥� whether it鈥檚 in North America, Europe, or the U.K. I think adoption rates will rise.鈥�

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