New Poll: Americans Shun Electrics

So same old stuff. Well, the public is stupid so it doesn't surprise me.

 

I do not think the public is stupid. It sounds to me like the automotive industry has not done a very good job of educating the public. Also, the oil lobby, the media and car magazines do a good job of keeping what facts are available distorted. So the public has a hard time deciding what to believe.

 

So, 40% would consider an electric and that's without most people having experienced an EV.

That's not really "shunning".

 

Spin. Pure and simple.

57% wont buy, leaving 43% who will buy. 43% of 250 Million cars = 100 Million. President Obama won't miss his quota of 1M by 2015 due to naysayers. On the other hand, production needs to increase 10 fold.

I bet if they phrased the survey better they would have gotten a different answer.
"Would you buy an electric car if gas reached $10 per gallon?"
"Would you buy an electric car if gas reached $100 per gallon?"
"Would you buy an electric car if gas was rationed?"
...

Plus, their definition is pretty limited. Better Place already has electric cars which don't meet that definition. And ALL gas cars would meet that definition is gas was rationed.

 

Introduce the Dodge Brownout, a 4 ton, 250kw 600hp electric 22 seater with diesel smoke generator and they will come running.

 

Give it time. The EV's are still too new of a technology for most folks to comprehend. The general public is so used to being able to fill up and go any distance on petrol. What they dont realize....yet....is that in reality they have a "gas" station right in their garage! When charging stations are as common as gas stations and car companies can actually provide cars without a waitlist....i think you will find that more people will be driving them. Myself included!

 

Or maybe smart?

why would you buy a an overpriced electric car with limited range/long charge cycle? car which can be only used for local errands/commute? which produces more CO2 then hybrid? when you can buy more practical/cheaper Prius?
:deadhorse:

 

Because Prii can only go 40mph and are more damaging than a Hummer silly.

 

Dropping my 7 yr old daughter off to school today the parent in front of us was driving a Hummer, my daughter looks at me and asks if it is the mortal enemy of my Volt. True Story.

 

I would say you could just out-range it but they probably put a 50 gallon tank in it just so they could claim it can go 500mi without a fill up.

 

In another poll, 9 out of 10 polls are poorly done and extremely unscientific.

 

The USA Today author, James Healey wouldn't know "Electrics" if someone shoved a 240V hot lead up his dirty side.
The poor slob has mistaken this Volt for an EV. (shaking head)

 

Right now....there's only one real EV out there to "shun", and I don't consider the Leaf to be a viable alternative to gas burners.
I think that if/when EV/PHEV vehicles become more mainstream, the numbers will shift accordingly, but I'm with Nissan. If 40-percent of the populace would tinker with the thought of buying an EV then I think that the glass is really half full, instead of half empty considering the current developmental state of the EV industry.

 

An EV is viable to us because we both have a necessary commute and both are within range of an EV. If I could get an EV for around $200/mo which is the price of our Fiesta lease I would jump all over it.

 

it would make a great 2nd vehicle if your daily mileage/commute well within range. Not as a primary vehicle, travel vehicle or commuter if your daily miles routinely exceed range.

 

At even $4 a gallon, isn't "range" already an issue for some people with gasoline-powered vehicles?

 

Right. My goal is to eventually have a plug-in prius and a focus ev or something similar.

My commute is 8.4mi each way and hers is 16 or so...roughly double mine.

 

Right now based on my current life style an EV would not be an option. remember not everyone has a garage/car port... to charge their vehicles. I only have street parking and I've already had to part three or four blocks from my home because that is the only spot. Even when I'd be in a position to charge at home, we're hoping to move out of NYC before 2011 is over, I still wouldn't want an EV at this point simply we as a country do not have the support and infrastructure to support EVs.

 

^^ Most people agree with you; most people would disagree if petrol was $8/gallon.