Culture is to blame.
That’s according to a new report from automotive research firm JATO Dynamics that investigates what keeps U.S. electric vehicle adoption “in the slow lane.”
The report explains why US sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have lagged behind China and Europe. China accounts for more than half of global demand for BEVs, while Europe accounts for 22% and the US only 12%.
The researchers focused on Americans’ affinity for fuel-guzzling SUVs and trucks.
“More than China and Europe, the United States faces a specific challenge in overcoming a culture of ICE dependency, driven largely by relatively low fuel prices and a preference among consumers for large vehicles.” , according to the JATO report. “Due to the higher retail prices of BEVs and the relatively low cost of operating an ICE vehicle in the United States, there is currently no strong financial incentive to encourage consumers to go electric.”
The report also highlights the lack of reliable charging options. In 2022, nearly 90% of global fast charger growth occurred in China. Fast charger additions in Europe grew 55% year-over-year in 2022. In the United States, fast charger growth increased 9% in 2022, the lowest rate “among other major markets.”
The researchers acknowledged that the deployment of charging infrastructure is set to accelerate thanks to an influx of federal investment, but found that initiatives such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program are “currently insufficient to meet the explosion in demand expected in the coming years.”
Some other culprits: The US doesn’t offer many affordable electric vehicles; many US automakers are struggling to increase BEV production as they suffer large losses in their electric businesses; and researchers suggested that some aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act could “inadvertently make it more difficult for manufacturers… to expand domestic production due to supply chain constraints.”
Separately, electric vehicle charging company FLO shared insights into consumer charging habits based on surveys of nearly 40,000 electric vehicle drivers in the United States and Canada.
Some highlights:
- 60% rely on fast chargers when taking “extended journeys”, suggesting that fast charging is “necessary for most EV drivers”.
- More than half reported using on-site amenities such as restaurants and shops when in office.
- Nearly 30% don’t have a charger at home.
The data “demonstrates the need for more robust charging solutions across North America, allowing drivers to connect wherever they are: at work, at home or on the road,” FLO CEO Louis Tremblay said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on Tech Brew, a subsidiary of Morning Brew.