Consumer Awareness

Consumer acceptance depends on education and raised awareness about the benefits of electric drive for the consumer, and how electric cars and vehicles fit in their daily life. EDTA’s coordinated stakeholder outreach effort --the GoElectricDrive campaign-- is providing essential information on electric drive options to consumers.

Key facts

"Plug-in vehicles can be driven for roughly one-third to one-fourth the cost of a gasoline-powered vehicle" (Transportation Electrification)

"Fueling a PEV costs only 3 to 5 cents per mile. In contrast, fueling a gasoline car that has a fuel economy of 27.5 mpg costs about 14 cents per mile" (Plug-In Electric Vehicle Handbook)

"Buying electricity [for an electric vehicle] is approximately equivalent to buying gasoline at $1 per gallon" (Plugging-In)

"If the [electric] vehicle is plugged in every day, as recommended, it may be possible to drive 1,000-2,000 miles or more between fill-ups" (Plugging-In)

"The number of registered [Hybride Electric Vehicles] HEVs in the U.S. grew to nearly 2 million [in 2012]" (State Clean Energy Index)

"Consumers who consider themselves knowledgeable [about electric vehicles] are more than two and a half times more likely to consider an EV than those who believe they know 'nothing' about EVs" (The Shift to Electric Vehicles)

"The average car trip length in the United States is 9.34 miles, within the [electric] range of most PEVs" (An Action Plan)

"Increasing the electricity cost by 100% (from $0.12 to $0.24 per kWh) increases the net present cost of an EV relative to a conventional gasoline powered vehicle by $1,606, but raising gas prices by 100% (from $3.75 to $7.50 per gallon) increases the net present cost of a conventional vehicle by $6,453" (Will Electric Cars Transform the U.S. Vehicle Market?)

"Driving a BEV 12,000 miles per year, as opposed to 6,000 miles per year costs about $1,000 additional in operating costs. By contrast, driving a conventional gasoline powered vehicle 12,000 miles per year, as opposed to 6,000 miles per year costs about $4,000 additional in operating costs" (Will Electric Cars Transform the U.S. Vehicle Market?)

"Some EV cost of operation estimates for a five- to six-year period are up to three times less than those for similar ICE vehicles" (The Shift to Electric Vehicles)

>> For more information and to access the original reports, please register as an associate for free.

• Report 2010: Characterizing Consumers' interest in - 19-May-2010
  Characterizing Consumers' Interest in and Infrastructure Expectations for Electric Vehicles: Research Design and Survey Results, Electric Power Research Institute - May 19, 2010
• Report 2011: Plugging-in, a consumer - 26-Apr-2011
  Plugging-in: A Consumer Guide to Electric Vehicles, Electric Power Research Institute - April 26, 2011
• Report 2011: Plug-in Electric Vehicle Handbook - Sept 2011
  Report: Plug-in Electric Vehicle Handbook for Consumers, U.S. Department of Energy, EERE - September 2011  
• Report 2011: Unplugged: electric vehicle realities - Sept 2011
  Sept 2011 - Report by Deloitte about Consumer expectations for EVs
• Report 2011: Gobbling Less Gas For - Nov 2011
  Gobbling Less Gas for Thanksgiving, Environment America - November 2011
• Westport Innovations Inc. and A123 Systems, Inc. Take Advantage of Rapid Growing Electric-Drive Vehicles Market
  Rising gas prices and an improving economy have led to an impressive surge for hybrid and electric car sales.
• Invitation to Architect of the Capitol Spring Environmental and Energy Showcase
  General Motors is inviting Members of the House and Senate, congressional staff and others test-drive the 2012 Chevrolet Volt on April 25, 2012 in Washington, DC
• Electric Vehicle Symposium to Host Public Day at Los Angeles Convention Center
  Consumers to Have Opportunity to Drive Latest Electric Vehicles at Electric Vehicle Symposium 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 6 - 8, 2012.
• Fast Track: Electric Car Drivers Invited to Drive Indy 500 Raceway
  Electric car owners often enjoy fast access to HOV lanes but on Sunday, May 12 they can experience the excitement of driving their car on the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of its EV Rally. The EV Rally is being co-promoted by the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) and its GoElectricDrive.com consumer education initiative.
• 2012 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe Recognized by USAA as a Best Value
  USAA's 'Best Value' list focuses on cost, safety and reliability