A recent survey conducted by the University of Houston (UH) and Texas Southern University (TSU) has indicated that people in Texas appeared to show a lack of enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs).
The survey, which is part of the Texas Trends series, aims to understand Texans' attitudes and opinions toward EVs, revealing that only 5.1% of respondents currently drive an electric-powered car, truck, or SUV.
This picture taken on September 21, 2023 shows a view of Korean-made electric cars for sale at a car dealership in Amman. Electric car sales are surging in Jordan, a trend drivers and showrooms attribute to high petrol prices more than any concerns about air pollution and climate change. Boosted by low import taxes, especially affordable Chinese-made EV models have become a common sight on the streets of Amman and the kingdom's desert highways.
Why EVs Remain a Tough Sell in Texas
Savannah L. Sipole, a research associate at UH's Hobby School, noted that among those who do not own or lease an EV, 59.5% said they would not consider owning one in the future. The study highlighted various reasons behind this reluctance, with 46% citing the scarcity of charging stations as a significant concern.
Additionally, 38.2% mentioned the higher purchase prices for EVs compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles, and 36.5% cited the inability to charge an EV at home as a deterrent.
Pablo Pinto, director of the Center for Public Policy at the Hobby School, pointed out that acceptance levels of electric cars varied based on factors such as ethnicity, income, political affiliation, and generation.
The survey also found that 27.1% of white respondents were likely to consider owning an EV in the future, while 57.6% of Asian Americans and 36.7% of Hispanic respondents expressed interest. Income-wise, households with an annual income exceeding $80,000 showed the highest interest at 39.3%.
"When we sorted the survey's results according to politics, we found fewer Republicans than Democrats voicing interest in ever having an electric vehicle. A large majority of participants-more than 70% of Republicans and more than 60% of independents-said they were not likely to ever buy or lease an EV," said Robert Lucas Williams, assistant professor of political science at TSU.
Another Factor: Driving Range
The survey also conducted a conjoint analysis, revealing that the driving range on a single charge was the most influential factor in choosing an EV, followed by price, operating costs, and charging speed.
Despite hypothetical scenarios offering lower purchase prices, reduced operating costs, and faster charging times, most respondents still preferred gas-powered vehicles. However, respondents indicated a willingness to consider EVs if offered longer driving ranges on a single charge than gas-powered vehicles.
The study concluded that with the current low percentage of Texans owning electric vehicles, the state's residents seem inclined to stick with traditional gas engines.
The future acceptance of EVs in Texas may depend on factors like increased charging stations, reduced operating costs, and improvements in driving range technology.
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