AAA surveys say EV vehicle sales are down as hybrids bridge the gap for consumers – KBSI Fox 23 Cape Girardeau News

MISSOURI(KBSI) – Is the electric vehicle trend ending?

According to data, from AAA electric vehicle purchases are on a downhill slide.

AAA does various surveys on motor vehicle topics every year and one of those is consumer sentiment of electric vehicles, and what the survey found this year is there’s been a drop off in people interested in purchasing an electric vehicle and an even steeper increase in people saying they would not purchase an electric vehicle for their next car purchase.

Nick Chabarria is the spokesperson for AAA. He says the reason they’ve seen a decline in families purchasing electric vehicles and this is largely due to it not fitting into their day-to-day lifestyle as well as concerns around the amount of charging stations in their area, charging times and cost.

Chabarria says an engine for an electric car is roughly $11,000 more than the cost of an engine for a motor vehicle, however according to Chabarria hybrid vehicles could be the best of both worlds.  

“We are seeing a higher interest in hybrid vehicles whereas we are seeing a combination of battery as well as gas powered and that’s what might really be the thing to bridge the gap to electric vehicles from combustion vehicles. So it’s very likely that were seeing a combination of traditional engines, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles all on the roads in the next several decades.” 

There’s been a push for EV use because of the impact gas and oil has on the environment. 

Consumers still seem to have concerns over making the switch to electric.

Bailey Owens says he doesn’t regret his recent Tesla purchase. He shares why he made the switch to electric. 

“No gas! I had a half ton truck with a v8 engine in it before and now it’s a big change but loving not having to pay these gas prices anymore.” 

Owens says he’s able to find charging stations near him through an app on his phone and charging time takes him about 30 minutes. He says going electric may not be for everyone, but it works for him.

“Since I got the Tesla and went all electric I think its the future. I think everybody will be all electric at some point in time. I think it’ll be a slow transition, but it’s been pretty great so far so no qualms from me.”

Owens says he’s spending around a 3rd of the amount in charging fees than he was spending in gas. 

Meaning he’s spending around a single dollar in electricity verses 3 dollars for a gallon for gas.