KENT, Conn. (AP) — For most Americans, there’s less reason than ever to worry about finding chargers to fuel up an electric vehicle. But charging worries remain a top hesitation for potential buyers, second only to sticker shock.
Those concerns linger even as fast chargers multiply. More than 12,000 have been added within a mile of U.S. highways and interstates just this year, an Associated Press analysis of data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows. That’s about a fifth of quick-charging ports now in operation.
Yet a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago finds about 4 in 10 of U.S. adults still point to range and charging time as “major” reasons they wouldn’t buy an EV.
That’s significant considering only about 2 in 10 Americans say they would be “extremely” or “very” likely to make a new or used electric vehicle their next car purchase.
Daphne Dixon, leader of a nonprofit advocating for clean transportation, has taken a coast-to-coast road trip in an EV each year since 2022. Posting snapshots of the charging experience, she hopes to quell anxiety around range issues.
“Range anxiety is stuck in people’s heads,” she argues. Meanwhile, Connecticut's plans to install more fast chargers, funded through federal support, aim to alleviate these fears.
Despite increased charger accessibility, the price of EVs remains the primary barrier. Data from the poll shows that while many express concerns about charging, the majority of U.S. adults cited high prices as the main reason for not adopting electric cars.
While experts suggest that owning an EV could be more cost-effective in the long run, driver perception remains focused on upfront costs. As EVs held approximately 8% U.S. market share in 2024, awareness of their gradual integration into mainstream traffic is crucial for future sales growth.
The AP’s climate coverage receives support from various foundations but remains independent in its reporting.
