New Survey Finds Many Households Can Use Electric Vehicles

Four out of 10 households could use an electric vehicle with little or no change to their driving habits and vehicle needs, according to a national survey released by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Consumers Union.

While less than 1 percent of the country are driving electric vehicles (EVs) today, the survey found 42 percent of respondents with cars -- equivalent to 45 million households when applied nationally -- meet the basic criteria for using plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt.  More than half of those households are also able to use a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), such as the Nissan LEAF.

While plug-in hybrid EVs have similar driving range to gasoline-only vehicles, the current range of BEVs on the market today can also meet many drivers’ needs.  The survey found that almost 70 percent of drivers drive less than 60 miles on a weekday, which is within the range of almost every BEV on the market today.

The results of the survey not only indicate that millions of households could utilize an EV today, but also show how that figure could grow in the future.  The survey found that 33 percent of respondents did not have access to parking with an electrical outlet, but met the other basic criteria for owning a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.  In addition, more than a third, 37 percent, agreed that having access to charging at the workplace would increase the likelihood of considering an EV in their next vehicle purchase.

New Survey Finds Many Households Can Use Electric Vehicles