EVs on Their Minds

Consumers’ interest in EVs are in part due to perceived lower operational costs and environmental sustainability concerns, the survey found. - Pexels/Pixabay

Consumers’ interest in EVs are in part due to perceived lower operational costs and environmental sustainability concerns, the survey found.

Pexels/Pixabay

Electric vehicles are on the minds of more consumers, at least on a worldwide basis, according to new poll results.

The Tata Consultancy Services study found that six out of 10 consumers are likely or very likely to consider an EV as their next vehicle. It revealed the survey results at the Detroit Auto Show, taking place through Jan. 20.

The high percentage – 64% – defies persistent hesitations on the part of many consumers about pure electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, namely insufficient charging infrastructure and higher sticker prices.

More than 1,300 consumers were polled in the U.S. and Canada, plus the United Kingdom and Ireland, continental Europe, and Asia. Those polled also included transport manufacturers, charging infrastructure players, fleet adopters and EV adoption influencers.

Tata, an India-based company that specializes in information technology and consulting services, said 56% of survey respondents said they’re prepared to pay up to $40,000 for an EV.

Key factors in consumers’ interest in EVs are what Tata identifies as lower operational costs, in addition to environmental sustainability concerns, though it said nearly half of EV influencers polled believe EVs increase negative environmental impacts as much as they curb them.