Executive Summary
When it comes to their next vehicle purchase, TLT readers have a variety of preferences and needs that will influence their choice of vehicle type. Many still prefer internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, citing their cost, reliability and familiarity as top features. Hybrid vehicles are a close second, with many readers reporting that this option reduces the “range anxiety” of a fully battery-powered vehicle while providing significant savings on fuel. While the group of readers eager to make their next purchase a 100% battery electric vehicle (EV) was the smallest, many reported that they are interested to see how the technology evolves in upcoming years to address concerns about infrastructure, sustainability and range.
Will the next vehicle you purchase be:
New
70%
Used
30%
Based on an informal poll sent to 15,000 TLT readers.
Will your next vehicle be:
100% internal combustion engine (ICE)
45%
Hybrid
40%
100% battery
15%
Based on an informal poll sent to 15,000 TLT readers.
Q.1 What are the drivers for your above decisions?
New, 100% ICE: Lack of electric charging station infrastructure.
New, 100% ICE: Waiting for battery life to improve.
New, 100% ICE: I chose ICE for extended range.
Used, hybrid: I currently drive and like a hybrid very much. I have low fuel use without the range anxiety of an EV. Also, I’m not sure there will be many EVs available when I buy my next car.
Used, 100% ICE: The cost of both hybrid and 100% battery vehicles is too expensive, I don’t have the infrastructure to charge a vehicle, and I’m concerned about the distance an EV can go before having to be charged again.
New, 100% ICE: I usually buy new and keep the vehicle five to 10 years. I will never buy an EV because of initial cost, short range and inconvenience of charging time. Most of all, they do nothing to help the environment whatsoever after factoring in the energy, materials needed
and disposal costs for batteries and the means of electricity production, which is still a high percentage from fossil fuels.
New, hybrid: I prefer to purchase hybrid for the time being since the charging facilities are still hard to find.
New, hybrid: A full hybrid will be the way to go. You don’t have to worry about range anxiety or battery durability or where charging stations are, and you get the benefits of fantastic fuel economy and reduced emissions.
New, 100% battery: My next new vehicle will come upon retirement from work in approximately three to four years. I will leave the world of constant business travel for short trips to Home Depot and watching grandkids play sports. By this time, the full battery pickup trucks will have kinks worked out, a track record of performance established and be in good supply.
New, 100% battery: I want to help the environment and reduce CO
2 emissions.
New, 100% ICE: We will purchase an ICE because we do a lot of traveling and don’t want to be constrained by finding charging stations. Also, we are not set up to electrically charge a vehicle at home.
New, hybrid: Helping to minimize carbon footprint, savings and no range anxiety.
Used, 100% ICE: The next vehicle purchase will be a third vehicle in the family. ICEs are easier to repair, and fuel is readily accessible wherever we travel.
New, hybrid: I switched from public transportation to a bicycle during the pandemic. I also own a motorcycle. An e-bike will further reduce the need to come to work by motorcycle and/or bus.
Used, 100% ICE: I pull various trailers and haul heavy loads.
New, hybrid: For daily commuting and errands, a 100% battery car seems practical. Not sure about long trips (>300 miles).
New, 100% ICE: I’m on my second car in 20 years of driving. My third car will be ICE because it will be the last chance to buy an ICE vehicle. When the time comes to purchase my fourth vehicle, ICE technology will likely be antiquated too far to consider.
Used, hybrid: Cost is downside to EV (currently), but I am an advocate for environmental and sustainable future.
New, 100% battery: I currently own an EV and would not consider going back to an ICE. There’s cost savings over life of the vehicle, gas and maintenance; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and you can charge at home.
New, 100% ICE: Fuel economy, comfort and safety.
New, 100% battery: I intend to purchase a full EV for my next vehicle, as I believe they are the most environmentally conscious option of the three listed. I also am excited by the performance boost EVs can provide over ICEs and the reduced maintenance that comes with not having an ICE.
New, hybrid: Unlikely to switch to 100% battery at this time. We do not have full understanding of charging infrastructure costs and issues. Hybrid or ICE options are possible.
New, 100% battery: Environmental concerns. Investment (lasts a long time). Performance.
Used, 100% ICE: Range, fuel availability and cost.
New, 100% ICE: Limited availability of charging, price and potential long-term reliability.
New, 100% ICE: I will continue to drive an ICE vehicle as there are still too many issues that need to be addressed. Battery issues in colder weather is a concern as to how long the battery will hold its charge should the temperature dip below -20 C (-4 F). Also of concern are charging capabilities—one will need to run higher amp wiring at their residence if they intend to charge the battery at home. There also are very few sites where one can charge an EV in my geographic area.
New, hybrid: Hybrid may be a better option until the infrastructure for more charging stations is in place. I drive a lot for work, so I would have range anxiety if I had 100% battery electric vehicle (BEV).
Used, 100% ICE: Used market for hybrid or BEV is low/limited. I would rather buy a used ICE.
New, hybrid: I’m still not convinced on 100% battery to travel long distances.
Used, hybrid: Cost of fuel/energy, infrastructure development level.
New, hybrid: Hopeful for reduced costs in the long run.
Used, 100% ICE: I work in lubricant sales, and I need a pickup truck to carry some equipment and to make the occasional delivery. I live and work in Texas and travel distances of 350 miles one way at least once a month. I will buy used because of the cost of pickup trucks. A truck with 15,000-20,000 miles on it will be $20,000 less than a new truck. I will buy an ICE truck because of the distances I travel—and because in the oil fields of Texas, EVs are frowned upon.
New, hybrid: Fuel savings, but I don’t want to be limited by the current range of EVs.
New, hybrid: Hybrids have more options for alternative fuels and less emissions.
Used, 100% battery: I just purchased an ICE vehicle, and it will be a long time before I purchase another vehicle—so likely it will be an e-version.
New, 100% battery: With 100% battery, I want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions/pollution and save money on gas and car maintenance.
New, 100% ICE: New or used will depend on what type of deals are available at the time of purchase. ICE because they are cheaper, and there are no charging stations close to me—they are too far and few between to make long trips convenient.
New, hybrid: I cannot go full electric because of range limits and lack of charging stations.
Used, hybrid: Hybrid is efficient without being limiting on range.
Used, 100% ICE: I live in Alaska and commute 120 miles per day. I don’t trust battery technology yet in cold weather. I would consider a hybrid, though. To me, hybrids make more sense than full electric unless you live in a major metro area.
Used, hybrid: I am thinking of purchasing either a hybrid or an ICE. The main reason for not wanting a 100% battery is because of price/cost of the vehicle, but there are other concerns like the infrastructure for charging. EVs are still being developed and are not fully optimized.
New, hybrid: Insufficient charging infrastructure.
Used, 100% ICE: I live in a very rural area and need to be able to haul various things (livestock, lumber, equipment). I need something with hauling capabilities, and I’m not convinced EVs can provide this. Also being rural, access to the electric charging ports are very limited.
New, hybrid: Although I would like to purchase a 100% battery vehicle, I intend to secure a hybrid vehicle because I frequently have to make trips that challenge the autonomy of most batteries, especially in a Canadian winter.
Used, 100% ICE: I’m looking for a full size pickup truck with an ICE, and I’m not interested in a hybrid or EV at this time.
Used, hybrid: Lots of city driving and the ability to avoid concerns about temperature and distance limitations.
New, 100% ICE: I live in a remote area without charging capacity.
Used, 100% ICE: The issues inherent to batteries such as charging station supply and charge time as well as the life of the battery and expense of replacement.
Used, hybrid: Less CO
2 emission, good mileage.
New, 100% ICE: (1.) Availability of charging stations. (2.) Cost of the vehicle. (3.) Aftersales service of the vehicle.
Used, hybrid: I would like to reduce my carbon footprint, but I can’t rely on an EV to take me cross country each day.
New, hybrid: New technology, fuel consumption and the right thing to do.
New, 100% ICE: ICEs are a well-developed technology. They are reliable and economical. The others cost much more for what you get and offer no advantage.
Used, hybrid: At the moment, the driving distance is still questionable, and the battery life and recycling are not yet well developed. If this changes, I would definitely go for 100% battery.
New, 100% ICE: Comfort with technology, concern about charging infrastructure.
New, 100% ICE: I tend to lease new cars. The infrastructure for charging EVs isn’t suitable yet in public or at my home.
Q.2 How soon are you likely to purchase your next vehicle?
Within three months.
2022.
Three years.
Four to six years.
In the next six to nine months.
Two or three years.
Not so soon since I am working and staying away from my home country. And the current county I stay in has very good public transportation.
Probably not for several years since I recently purchased a hybrid car. Probably five or six years.
Three or four years depending upon final retirement plans.
In 10-15 years.
I will probably buy in 2023. The choice of cars is currently not good due to the chip shortage.
Six to nine months.
Within the next year.
I am in the process of purchasing right now.
Not for at least five years.
March 2022.
Probably in five years, depending on the life expectancy of my current vehicle (nine years old).
About a year depending on availability and freedom of travel (i.e., vaccination mandates for travel).
In the next five years.
I plan to purchase a new vehicle in four years or when my current vehicle reaches the end of its useful life, whichever comes first.
2023.
Summer 2022.
One to two years should the supply chain issue remedy itself—if not, then I will have to wait longer to purchase a vehicle.
After the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Within a year.
Within the next six months.
Up to three years.
Six to 18 months.
Probably in the next four or five years.
It will be three years or so before I replace my current pickup truck. My current truck has 99,000 miles on it, and I expect to drive it to 200,000 miles.
Order has been placed. Waiting for production.
May be within two year’s time.
Within five years.
Within the next five to seven years.
As soon as secondhand car prices reach levels closer to pre-pandemic costs.
In 2022 or 2023.
In 10 years.
Within a year.
Within the next two years.
2022.
Around five or six years.
Five to 10 years.
In 12-18 months.
As soon as my current, six-year-old 100% ICE’s maintenance costs exceed monthly payments on a new hybrid. Probably two to five years.
Within the next 18 months.
Next year.
Six months.
In the next year.
I would estimate at least five years as my current vehicle is only three years old.
In March 2023.
In four or five years.
2023.
Perhaps in five years.
Not anytime soon, probably in a few years.
It depends on market prices. Began looking but based on prices, will wait for the market to settle.
Approximately five years.
I likely won’t be purchasing another car for at least five more years.
Within 12 months.
Q.3 What type of vehicle do you currently own (100% ICE, hybrid or 100% battery), and why?
100% ICE. I like the car and the features in the car.
100% ICE. It’s very reliable and gets reasonable mileage. I am the only one in our family with a truck—it gets loaned out plus is required for work.
100% ICE because the last time I bought a vehicle, EVs were not really an option.
Hybrid. Its fuel consumption is lesser than
100% ICE.
100% ICE in the form of a company car as a benefit to my position (technical sales) and needs to travel for my job.
100% ICE, partly because the battery technology hasn’t advanced far enough yet in terms of longevity before replacement and also due to lack of charging infrastructure.
ICE mid-size SUV. Purchased after owning a hybrid car and wanted something larger for longer family trips.
We own 100% ICE as the time that we bought it, which was four years ago, EVs were not that advanced in mileage.
100% ICE. Hybrid options were not offered six or seven years ago in the brands we bought.
100% ICE. Those types of vehicles are all I ever have owned.
Bicycle, motorcycle (100% ICE).
100% ICE. I need to be able to pull trailers with large heavy loads for long distances, so ICE makes the most sense.
100% ICE. Range, proven performance in extreme weather conditions. I don’t trust battery technology and electronic charge status indicators during extreme cold for any trip with duration variability.
100% battery. Better for the environment. While the initial cost is higher, there is cost savings over the long run when you look at the cost of gas and additional maintenance required with an ICE. With charging at home, it is very convenient.
ICE. That’s what they had in 2015.
100% ICE because it is still the most economical and is most environmentally friendly when you consider the environmental impact of manufacturing and disposal of hybrid and 100% battery vehicles, instead of just the emissions of driving the vehicle.
I currently own a 100% ICE vehicle, and my wife drives a hybrid. The 100% ICE was purchased in 2015 when 100% EVs were not really available, and it didn’t provide a significant step down in efficiency from many hybrids on the market. The hybrid was purchased in 2020 as my wife drives in excess of 120 miles per day, and there wasn’t a brand-new EV that was in our price range that would provide that level of range consistently.
100% ICE. It is reliable and has been paid off for more than 10 years. I drive less than 10,000 miles per year, so there is no savings from improved fuel economy that could offset the cost of a new vehicle.
100% ICE. Company car.
ICE, because I am waiting for fuel-cell-powered vehicles to get mature.
100% ICE. The vehicle is in good shape with low miles.
100% ICE because of battery and charging issues already noted.
100% ICE. My region is limited on charging availability. Driving habits prohibit BEV at this time.
100% ICE, purchased 10 years ago. Limited selection for hybrid SUVs at that time.
100% ICE and start-stop ICE.
ICE half ton pickup truck. Range and utility are the key factors for me.
100% ICE. No technology is devoid of environmental impact, but the combustion of hydrocarbons produces H
2O and CO
2. CO
2 is plant food, and the planet is showing its gratefulness by turning more green! It gets cold in New England. What’s the range of a battery powered car with the heater and defroster on and getting out of Boston on a Friday?
All gasolines engines.
100% ICE because I need to be able to drive long distances.
Hybrid (for fuel economy) and 100% ICE (needed larger vehicle for family and long trips, and at time of purchase, there were limited options for hybrid here).
100% ICE. Today there are just a few options and too expensive EV models where I live.
100% ICE—hybrid was not available.
100% ICE. Lower cost, better range and easier fueling compared to electric.
100% ICE. Needed ability for longer range and towing.
Plug-in electric hybrid, allowing battery for local driving and exceptional range for long trips.
100% ICE. People have stated electrics work fine in cold weather, but real world evidence suggests otherwise.
I currently own a stop-start vehicle (mild hybrid).
100% ICE, cost, availability, charging infrastructure, transportation need and range requirement.
100 % ICE. Access to electric is limited, the prices of such vehicles are high, and I need a truck with hauling capabilities.
100% ICE. The U.S.’s electric grid system is not ready for any onrush of significant EV usage.
100% ICE, because it was a very good vehicle for me when I bought it used 20 years ago. It was five years old when I purchased it.
100% ICE, very reliable.
100% ICE. I actually travel quite a bit.
Five-year-old 100% ICE. It is affordable and cost me ~25 cents a mile excluding insurance. An EV has high initial cost and poor resale since batteries have limited life of five to eight years. This means 100% electric will cost me ~40 cents a mile. EVs will increase the price of driving beyond the affordability of most people. Governments should be investing in public transit and redesigning cities that reduce the need for commuting rather than replacing ICE with electric. Buses, trucks and heavy equipment will be running on hydrogen combustion engines rather than rechargeable electric.
100% ICE. At the time of purchase, I needed something a little bigger. There were no hybrids that satisfied the requirement.
100% ICE, hybrid.
100% ICE. It is a 14-year-old vehicle, and at that time, ICE was the only viable option.
100% ICE, others were technologically not mature enough.
100% ICE. In Africa, others are not options at this stage.
ICE. The vehicle fits my needs and is not subject to charging stations or equipping my home with additional electrical connections.
Plug-in hybrid. Can drive most of the time on battery power (short drives around town), while keeping the option of traveling long distances for work or vacation using hybrid power.
ICE, distance capability.
My current car is 100% ICE—a very efficient commuter car. It also is a manual transmission, which I like.
100% ICE, better selection for the Northern U.S. snowy climate that I live in.
100% ICE. Regardless of the hype, the ICE makes the most sense.
Editor’s Note: Sounding Board is based on an informal poll sent to 15,000 TLT readers. Views expressed are those of the respondents and do not reflect the opinions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. STLE does not vouch for the technical accuracy of opinions expressed in Sounding Board, nor does inclusion of a comment represent an endorsement of the technology by STLE.