Chevy Volt versus Ford Focus Electric: Americans not ready for pure EVs
Just not enough EV range for American consumer psychology.
Americans want everything in their cars, and that challenge will be difficult for EVs to overcome
The bulk of my driving for the last several years has been dominated by distances that just aren’t battery electric vehicle friendly. Thus, if I had to buy a plug-in, it would have to be some kind of plug-in hybrid that can also use gasoline to extend my range. But if I could buy two cars, I’d buy a pure EV and then the most fuel efficient highway hybrid.
Nevertheless, there are many other Americans that could easily get by with a pure electric vehicle for almost all of their driving needs, yet the anecdotal evidence, minimally, suggests that it’s going to take a lot to convince Americans of the relevance of pure EVs to meet their needs.
This morning, MotorTrend pitted the Chevy Volt versus the Ford Focus Electric. Certainly, the fans of MotorTrend are not necessarily big EV or plug-in fans, but the overwhelming majority of respondents picked the Volt over the Focus electric, and it all seems to boil down to range anxiety.
Interestingly, however, most responding to MT’s question believe both cars are too expensive. Yet, long term pure battery electric plug-ins will offer a better case for cost-effectiveness. In fact, real mainstream plug-in potential might be significantly hinged upon the ability of pure electrics long term, as they will be more cost-effective.
Ironically, however, plug-in hybrid producers/marketers will almost certainly reinforce the negative image of limited EV range as a way of differentiating their products to increase sales. ‘Limited range is bad’, unfortunately, is exactly the kind of marketing spin that US consumers are ready to receive, and that many automakers will reinforce, even those also selling EVs.
Sadly, this negative reinforcement could severely stunt plug-in penetration long term.
“Nevertheless, there are many other Americans that could easily get by with a pure electric vehicle for almost all of their driving needs”. Sorry I have to disagree. By many, do you mean less than 1% of driving Americans? The restrictions not brought out in full are the problems this country has with infrastructure and natural disasters. Simple example, in the northeast this past week, how many millions of people were without power because of an early snowstorm? Now this area would probably be considered prime area for electric vehicles (high density population), but what are you gonna do when you don’t have power to recharge your vehicle, your out of food for your family, and the nearest place to go for food or shelter is 100 miles away? Or how ’bout when a hurricane is barreling towards you and the nearest evacuation point you can get to is 200 miles away and traffic is bumper to bumper? What happens when you get back after the storm and you have no power for more than a week. How do you drive to get repair supplies or whatever? So until EV’s can have a range of 400+ miles on a charge, they are very limited for use as a prime vehicle and most Americans cannot afford their price for as a 2nd around the town vehicle.
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