Executive Summary
Electric vehicles have been a big topic of discussion since there are many issues to figure out. TLT readers are concerned with the limited availability of charging stations, traveling long distances, maintenance, battery life, cost and more. Although there are many concerns, readers believe the environmental profile of electric vehicles is attractive due to cleaner emissions. One reader listed a positive and negative: “High potential for clean emissions. Low potential for DIY maintenance.” Most agree they are not ready for an electric vehicle quite yet, and their next car will be a conventional vehicle with an internal combustion engine. Most plan to wait six to 10 years to buy an electric vehicle.
Q.1. Many car makers are releasing new plug-in hybrid and full-battery electric vehicles. What do you find attractive or unattractive about electric vehicles compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles?
Fully electric vehicles are not practical for my long-distance commuting and would take too long to charge. In addition, I would have to rewire my home with a larger capacity electric panel in order to charge one—this is not acceptable. Internal combustion engines (ICEs) or a hybrid are the best options at the present time for my needs.
I don’t think the life of an electric vehicle is good enough for the distances I like to travel.
Getting away from gassing up my vehicle.
Excellent acceleration.
I don’t find the economics of electric vehicles (EVs) to be competitive, and I am concerned with the unknown useful life. I also frequently make 800-mile road trips, and travel in rural areas where charging is not available.
Without the same engine components and the space they require, the car design is able to become more unique. This can often lead to more creative designs that are both attractive and unattractive.
Smoother, quicker response.
The environmental profile is attractive, but that can only be realized if the electric grid is decarbonized. There is no benefit if the electricity used to charge the vehicle is made with coal. I drive gas-electric hybrid, which is the optimum solution at present.
High potential for clean emissions. Low potential for DIY maintenance.
I like the reduced carbon footprint of an electric vehicle. Even using hydrocarbon-generated electricity, they are much more efficient on a miles per pound of carbon dioxide basis. The enhanced acceleration of an electric vehicle over a comparable ICE-powered vehicle also is an attractive benefit.
Cuts emissions, travels with very low noise at lower speeds and full electric mode.
Electric vehicles obviously have no emissions. They are quiet, have good torque and operate quite efficiently. In our climate in Canada, the heater on an electric vehicle starts immediately, blowing warmer air and heats interiors of vehicles up quicker without the vehicle needing to come to an operating temperature to, of course, let the thermostat do its job to help heat. They are good for traveling short distances. The unattractive part in our climate is that it would seem at negative temperatures, the battery life isn’t as long, and stopping at charging stations can be cold. In Alberta and British Columbia, going through the mountains is a challenge. The Tesla model can get up to 400 km in a charge and can, in most cases, easily make it from charging station to charging station even when climbing the mountain roads through the passes. A Nissan Leaf is a different story as it does not have the range needed to make it through some passes, and different routes need to be taken sometimes to make sure to not get stranded. In cold weather and climbing mountain highways, the Leaf has a range of around 150-200 km. A disadvantage also is when you have a schedule to meet, a long trip of 1,000 km takes longer, and a schedule has to be lengthened taking up more time, which is a disadvantage for a person conducting business.
There is yet to be widespread serviceability for EVs. For the next decade or so, I foresee vehicle servicing will be mostly full swaps for faulty EV components, rather than repair attempts, which can be much cheaper.
Fewer emissions and less money to spend on buying gas are attractive. Fear of getting stuck and not being able to recharge the battery is the main concern.
Hybrids cost so much more and have limited range because of the batteries and small gas tank. I bought one two years ago.
What I find unattractive about electric vehicles is the minimal availability of electric charging stations. I have never seen one in a remote or rural area.
Indifferent to them overall. Awaiting longer-term battery life before being interested.
When you purchase your next vehicle, which type would be your first choice?
Conventional vehicle with internal combustion engine
59%
Hybrid vehicle offering both an electric motor and a conventional engine
34%
Full-battery electric vehicle
13%
Based on responses sent to 15,000 TLT readers. Total exceeds 100% because respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.
Hybrid cars offer a good balance between emissions and driving range.
Cost. Size. Range.
Cost and limited manufacturers are the unattractive aspect.
I find instant torque and the fact that it helps with the environment attractive. The unattractive aspect is vehicle range versus charging stations and not having the sound/feel of the ICE.
I am concerned about the range and the time it takes to recharge.
Cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle seems to be more favorable now.
I like the idea of regenerative braking, where the excess power is converted to usable energy, rather than wasted as heat and consumption of brake material. However, I have always been pessimistic about EVs due to replacement battery cost (not now, but in 10 years when it is replaced with a newer model, like so many things in our society). We are essentially making a disposable/recyclable car, with little to no trade-in value. I also am concerned about charge level in colder climates, where I live, as the need for heaters in winter and when you aren’t moving drains the battery, and there is no charging station when you are stuck in traffic.
Attractive: The use of EVs helps protect our air. EVs are quiet. EVs offer fast acceleration. There is cutting-edge driver assist technologies in EVs. Unattractive: EVs cost too much.
Electric vehicles are a must. It is impossible and irresponsible to avoid the use. The environment does not resist the high level of greenhouse gases that we produce with ICEs.
The reduced carbon footprint of an electric vehicle is the best feature of EVs in my eyes. Even when using a hydrocarbon-based electricity source, like coal or natural gas, EVs are still much more efficient on a pounds of CO
2 per miles driven basis. If you can supplement or fully replace these with green sources like wind or solar, it reduces your carbon footprint even more. Additionally, many electric cars have acceleration performance that exceeds that of an ICE vehicle, so they can be pretty fun to drive as well.
Sticker price and poor (not awful, but poor) infrastructure in my area make full electric unattractive.
Unattractive, it is not an accessible option for all consumers in term of vehicle cost.
The only advantage is less noise and maybe less pollution.
Attractive: Instant acceleration, modern electronic interface, no gasoline needed. Unattractive: Can’t take on long drives (i.e., across country), worry about longevity of battery over 10 years, resale value.
The most attractive feature is that EVs need battery cooling fluid, which most likely has to be water based. This is an interesting challenge for tribologists. The least attractive thing is that EVs don’t need engine oils, so many tribologists will lose their jobs, and lubricant research won’t get funded.
Better energy efficiency in start-stop driving condition (e.g., city traffic) is very attractive. However, ICE vehicles are still more attractive for long journeys.
A lack of infrastructure to support charging and the low mileage limits of the battery system is a concern. In addition, the overall cost of the systems are more expense than ICE vehicles.
With respect to emissions and the environment, hybrid and electrical vehicles seem to be a good idea, but we have to look at these technologies in more detail. Effects on the environment from battery production and recycling have to be considered, and we need to present a realistic picture with respect to energy consumption. These vehicles are being presented as if they don’t consume energy. That is true for gasoline or diesel, but increased power generation (electricity) has to be considered. I find the fact that this is a good start of a development toward a cleaner environment attractive. I find the current stage of development these vehicles are in unattractive.
Zero emissions while you drive.
The primary attraction is a lesser environmental footprint with an EV. The secondary thing is the performance. I want the Hummer EV pickup truck. I just can’t afford it.
Attractive: Low to no emissions (deferred to more efficient powerplant emissions) that moves any emissions away from population centers, efficiency. Unattractive: Charging logistics on longer trips (time to charge, availability of charging sites), inability to tow a trailer/camper for longer distances, toxic waste from battery mineral extraction and from battery disposal.
Exterior design has improved, but lack of long distance travel is a negative for me.
I like that all electric vehicles are really fun to drive. They accelerate fast and smoothly. The very limited maintenance requirements also are nice especially in an around-town car that has lots of very short trips. The possible environmental benefits are nice but are not the main selling point for me.
Positive: Great acceleration. Negative: Need to buy a charging system for my home, misconceptions about where electricity comes from (might not be renewable or CO
2 neutral), uncertainty about maintenance costs and resale value, recharging time.
Q.2 What is the main shortcoming of electric vehicles that, once solved, would compel you to purchase one?
This is a tie between range and charging time.
Battery life and expensive replacement.
How far you can travel on a charge, given the long charging time.
Battery charging, battery life, battery disposal, battery cost.
Batteries, range anxiety.
Financial aid to make the transition (typically cost prohibitive) and an easy means to install car charger in the home.
Price and education regarding battery life and maintenance.
Driving range, the availability of charging stations and time to charge are product obstacles. Decarbonizing the electric grid first is the bigger issue.
Long recharge time and cost/availability of charging infrastructure.
Driving range and/or long charging times are the primary limiting factors for electric vehicles. Solving one would make the other less of a problem, but both factors make longer trips difficult in their current state.
The major shortcoming for me is the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a charge. I also travel on gravel roads to sites I do business at in wilderness areas, and there really isn’t a vehicle made yet that would stand up or make it on those roads as far as I know. The cost of purchasing a unit to do that might be a factor also when it happens.
Poor lifetime of batteries, especially in colder climates and extreme cycle climates (hot to freezing overnight).
Battery technology is a major shortcoming, especially the time required to recharge. I believe that the shortcomings of battery technology could be overcome with battery swap stations rather than recharging stations.
Long distance driving (at least four hours) at an affordable price.
I don’t want one. I have a hybrid, and that’s as much as I want.
Proven longevity, reasonable cost.
Charging infrastructure and driving autonomy.
Battery life, recharging time and distance on a charge.
The main shortcoming to me is the cross-country driving and recharging.
Potentially, a two-hour drive becomes a five-hour drive.
Nothing. The costs will go down, because less resources will be used per kilowatt hour. This means that everything will get thinner and susceptible to production errors. This increases the safety risks.
Considering that battery technology is advancing and the cost is coming down, when do you think you’ll be ready to purchase an electric vehicle?
Now or within a year
4%
Two to five years
25%
Six to 10 years
53%
Never. I absolutely love internal combustion engines and can’t imagine driving a vehicle without one.
18%
Based on responses sent to 15,000 TLT readers.
Charging time and vehicle purchasing cost.
Driving range versus availability of charging stations.
The combination of range and recharging times.
Range and towing/hauling capacity. I live in Texas and drive a pickup truck.
Charging time and frequency to charge as I live in a building.
Electricity generated by nuclear energy and a range comparable to ICE technology. Windmills and solar farms are no environmental panacea!
The price.
What aspect of electric vehicles and their operation needs the most improvement, in your opinion?
Need larger electric vehicles to choose from
16%
Driving range is too limited
65%
They take too long to charge
42%
Not enough charging stations in my area
37%
Price is too high for my budget
52%
Safety
17%
Based on responses sent to 15,000 TLT readers. Total exceeds 100% because respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.
The main shortcoming is the combination of limited range and long charging times. High-end electric vehicles are approaching 400 miles per charge, which is comparable to many gas vehicles, but the recharge time is usually an hour or more instead of maybe five minutes at a gas tank. Either dramatically increasing the range or decreasing the charging time would ameliorate this concern.
Relatively long charge times—until I can get 300 miles of mobility for a 10-minute investment in time, I’ll be reluctant.
Good looks at a cheaper price. I just replaced a notebook computer because the lithium battery swelled to frightening proportions. I do not want that to happen or catch fire in my attached garage. Where is my local lithium battery disposal center? Oops, there isn’t one near me. Battery prices and technology still haven’t reached Moore’s law advancement, but there is much improvement over the last two years.
So far, I think the price, but I strongly believe that everything can be improved. So I can wait to see the updates in electric vehicles.
Range and/or charging time. If charging time is fast enough, it largely eliminates range as an issue.
Range, durability.
Battery replacement cost.
Distance of travel between charges, need at least 700 miles on a single charge.
Battery longevity, resale value.
RV trailer pulling power.
The price of these vehicles is still too high. I will buy one if the price comes closer to the gasoline variety.
Charging times should be even shorter.
The availability of charging points at gas stations, retail outlets, public places; shorter charging time and extended service (driving time) once the battery is charged.
Growth of the electric grid and control over charging costs. We now have the choice of many fuel suppliers and even more different gas stations, but we have only one electric grid.
Short range.
Available radius (distance on a charge of batteries) before charging is required. Absence of charging stations in the rural areas I work in. Cost: These vehicles are too highly priced compared to conventional vehicles.
Fear of not being able to find charging points.
Towing ability over longer distance for a 5,000-pound trailer.
Charging time and driving range. Further, not all countries in Europe are building enough charging stations.
Greater network of charging stations. And for me shorter business trips.
EVs that are similar in cost, size and utility with real positive environmental impact (not just shifted impact into someone else’s backyard).