- Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. reached an estimated 1.3 million units in 2024, representing about 8% of the new car market.
- Consumers remain concerned about the limited range of EVs.
- Freezing temperatures can reduce EV range by 32%.
- High prices and a lack of variety leave many consumers unenthusiastic.
Despite positive press, tax credits, and Americans’ propensity for desiring and acquiring the newest “big thing,” electric vehicles (EVs) remain out of reach or unwanted by many in the United States. EVs are those cars, SUVs, and light trucks powered solely by electricity from a battery charged by plugging into an outside source. You will also sometimes see them called battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
According to Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book’s parent company, EV sales in the U.S. grew by 11% year over year in the third quarter of 2024 and reached record highs for both volume and market share. According to the latest counts, an estimated 346,309 EVs were sold in Q3 2024. The EV share of sales in Q3 hit 8.9%, the highest level recorded and an increase from 7.8% in Q3 2023. The figures will grow even more in 2025, but why is the proportion of electric vehicles not higher? With the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in EV marketing and incentives, how is it that EVs simply don’t have universal appeal? What roadblocks to electric car ownership prevent electric cars from being in every driveway?
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What Are the Roadblocks?
Here at Kelley Blue Book, we spend a lot of time behind the wheel of EVs, driving them in real-world situations. Generally, we really like them. Our experiences run the gamut from the Nissan Leaf ($29,280) to the Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV ($106,400). Overall, we give EVs high marks for acceleration, cutting-edge technology, quietness, and, of course, efficiency. Yet, we understand some consumers’ hesitation in making a $30,000-to-$100,000 commitment to a technology with which they still have some doubts.
Just what are those persisting doubts or roadblocks to EV ownership? We’ve looked to the experts at AAA car club, which conducts an annual consumer survey on EVs, and polled several of our editors and reviewers to learn the hesitations some drivers have.
High Sale Price
Cost is among the top reasons for not buying an EV, according to AAA’s surveys. Their high manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is out of comfortable reach for many shoppers. Yes, there are a handful of affordably priced EVs, like the Hyundai Kona Electric, at $34,270. However, the bulk of EVs cost $40,000 or more. Cox Automotive data shows the average transaction price (ATP) for a new electric car is more than $56,000, compared to about $49,000 across the industry. Even with incentives averaging more than 12% of the transaction price, monthly payments for a new EV are too much for many buyers’ budgets.
“At this point in the EV evolution, they’re a luxury purchase,” said executive editor Brian Moody. However, history shows that the initial high prices of products with new technology come down.
Lack of Charging Locations
Also, charging station scarcity is a primary roadblock for not buying an EV. In other words, some shoppers worry about being able to find a charger when away from home.
In reality, there are nearly 70,000 public Level 2 and DC Fast chargers throughout the U.S., and several providers are increasing that number daily. Still, charger availability remains a serious concern for many, especially for potential EV buyers outside of urban areas. “The public charging infrastructure is growing, but it’s still nowhere near the nationwide availability of gas stations,” editor Eric Brandt said.
Range Anxiety
While the average EV range is improving and road trips are possible, the fear of running out of juice without a charging station in sight remains as much of a concern for some consumers today as it was five years ago. Still, proponents point to the fact that most EVs have more than enough range to accommodate most drivers’ average daily miles.
MORE: Electric Car Range: Everything You Need to Know
Cold-Weather Range
Although none of our Kelley Blue Book experts mentioned battery range as a continuing concern, they cited the loss of range in colder temperatures as a prevailing uncertainty. “EVs have a noticeably shorter driving range and longer charge times when the temperature is cold,” Moody explained. “The bottom line is, an EV will be a dramatically different experience for those living in upstate New York than those in Southern California.”
Brandt agreed, saying, “Freezing temperatures can reduce EV range by as much as 32%. There have even been reports of public charging stations not working at all in sub-zero temperatures, but gas pumps work just fine in any climate.”
Lack of Choice
Although the selection of EVs is growing, our experts all mentioned an insufficient variety of available models as a reason some consumers aren’t purchasing. “Electric car variety isn’t vast at the moment,” said reviewer Lyn Woodward.
Moody chimed in, “The lack of availability of mid-priced all-electric SUVs is a barrier, for sure. Automakers need to make an EV SUV about the size of a Toyota Highlander and price it in the $40,000 range.”
Brandt pointed out the limited number of EV family vehicles. “What EVs are available for a family with four kids?” he said. “The cheapest 3-row EV is the Tesla Model Y for around $44,000 with a tiny third row. The family-friendly Rivian 1S starts at $78,000. There is good reason to stick with a $38,000 (gas-fueled) Honda Odyssey.”
High Cost of Battery Repair and Replacement
EV battery warranties cover at least eight years or 100,000 miles, with some automakers covering even more. For example, Mercedes-Benz covers 10 years or 155,000 miles on its higher-end EV models. Despite the terms of battery-warranty coverage, concerns over the costs of replacing them persist. In previous AAA surveys, more than half of respondents expressed concerns about battery replacement costs. “Worries over battery cost and longevity are surely a barrier for the average new-car shopper,” Moody said.
No Home Charging Option
The inability to install a charging station at home is a reason not to purchase an EV. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, 57.7 million Americans live in multifamily rental apartment structures, and millions of others own condos in multi-unit buildings. These residences are problematic for charging EVs.
“As an apartment owner/dweller, I am at the mercy of the building HOA/management to install an EV charger,” said Woodward. “The expense of installing a charger (under such conditions) wouldn’t make the EV purchase worth it. Apartment renters face an even tougher struggle, especially in older buildings that would need to be rewired.”
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Other Roadblocks
Pickup Trucks and Towing
Another potential EV roadblock is the effect towing — or hauling heavy payloads (people plus cargo), for that matter — has on an EV pickup truck’s range. Despite poor fuel economy, pickup trucks are America’s best-selling vehicles and have been for decades. Not every pickup truck performs heavy work, but many do. EV pickups offer significantly more torque, especially from a standing stop, than traditional piston trucks; however, the heavier the load or trailer, the less range.
Towing can cut the range by as much as half. Moreover, EV pickup trucks provide a much lower payload limit than combustion pickup trucks. While the maximum payload for a Ford F-150 is 2,440 pounds, the F-150 Lightning EV with the extended range battery has a 1,900-pound payload limit. Many truck buyers aren’t able to trade the work capability of piston pickups for the fuel-economy benefits of an EV pickup.
Fear of Fire
You’ve probably read or heard reports of EV battery fires. There have been enough of them to make some consumers wary, although the frequency of EV fires per mile driven is no more than for gasoline-fueled cars. Some studies even suggest EV fires are less frequent than fires in gas-powered cars. Still, the incidents gained the attention of the media and put that concern into the minds of many consumers.
Availability of EV Repair Options
There are indeed many EV repairs your neighborhood mechanic can’t make. Some electric-only brands like Tesla and Rivian have neither dealerships nor service centers. However, they will send a service technician to the vehicle’s location. Still, this leaves a degree of uncertainty that some consumers don’t want to deal with.