Why Aren't Americans Buying EVs? AAA Survey Uncovers Key Hesitations
Supply does not always equal demand
These days, it seems like every automaker and its rivals have some sort of electric car out on the market. Years ago, Elon Musk and Tesla were one of only a handful of manufacturers on the block producing electric vehicles, but today's EVs come from a smattering of brands that include familiar mainstream names like Ford, Chevrolet, and even Hyundai and Kia.
However, while there are more choices in the American EV market than ever before, a new customer survey conducted by the American Automobile Association reveals that Americans may not be as interested in electric cars as they think.
In an aerial view, electric cars sit parked at a charging station on May 19, 2025 in Corte Madera, California.
Less than 20% of U.S. adults are 'likely' to get an EV as their next car, says AAA.
According to a new survey of U.S. adults conducted by AAA, American interest in EVs is at its lowest since 2019. The study, conducted in March of this year, surveyed 1,128 American adults to measure the likelihood of purchasing an EV and the factors influencing their decisions.
The Automobile Club found that only 16% of U.S. adults indicated they are 'very likely' or 'likely' to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) as their next car, marking the lowest percentage recorded in six years. Meanwhile, the proportion of adults who told AAA that they are 'unlikely' or 'very unlikely' to buy an EV for their next vehicle has increased from 51% to 63% over the past four years. The percentage of those who said they are 'neither likely nor unlikely' to purchase an EV has remained steady at 21%.
'Since we began tracking interest in fully electric vehicles, we've seen some variability,' AAA automotive engineering director Greg Brannon said in a statement. 'While the automotive industry is committed to long-term electrification and providing a diverse range of models, underlying consumer hesitation remains.'
What are the reasons behind the public's lack of interest?
According to AAA, the most common reasons people are not considering an EV purchase are a few specific issues that linger from the past. About 62% of drivers expressed concern about potentially high battery repair costs, while 59% of buyers were deterred by the higher upfront purchase price compared to equivalent gas-powered models.
Many respondents also expressed concerns about specific activities and how EVs handle them. About 57% of Americans feel that EVs can't handle the rigors of long trips, while 56% of EV skeptics were also concerned about the lack of convenient public EV charging facilities. Furthermore, 55% of skeptics stated that they avoid EVs due to fear of being stranded with a dead battery on the side of the road, while 27% reported issues with installing a charging station at their homes.
A Rivian R1T electric vehicle (EV) pickup truck, left, and R1S electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) at the company's showroom in New York, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. —
Source: Tesla
In addition, the onset of the new Presidential administration has made the future of electric vehicle incentives unclear, which has led to fewer people showing interest in buying EVs to benefit from rebates and tax credits. Despite this, 77% of respondents said that they're motivated to get an EV to save money on gas, while 59% of people said they care about the environment.
However, the study showed a shift in perspectives regarding the electric vehicle (EV) market. Just 23% of respondents surveyed by AAA believe EVs will surpass gasoline cars within the next decade, which peaked at 40% in 2022.
Final thoughts
Right now, price anxiety and political discussions are heavily influencing how people view electric vehicles. Regardless of where you stand politically, trying to let the market alone decide the future of EV adoption when many feel everything is already too expensive will likely lead to the public rejecting the pricier option. At this point, more affordable EV options and a stronger charging network need to be built out in order for full electrification to happen, but that's a tall order.
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