E Source recently analysed data from the Nielsen Energy Survey and found that while an large majority of US consumers would purchase a battery-driven car, 58% also strongly prefer plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) versions such as the Chevrolet Volt, which have greater range than electric-only cars like the Nissan Leaf. Only 8% of consumers presently show a preference to electric-only vehicles. “We are seeing a substantial willingness for drivers to move to plug-in electric vehicles, but only if the manufacturers can provide the easy extended range of travel that Americans are used to,” says Bill LeBlanc, senior advisor at E Source.
E Source also reports that younger drivers are more willing than older drivers to purchase the electric-only cars, and people who describe themselves as liberals are similarly more inclined to desire the all-electric cars than those classified as conservatives. “We see that all ages and all political mindsets like the plug-in hybrid vehicles equally,” says LeBlanc. “But when it comes to the all-electric car, it appears to be seen as more of a ‘green’ purchase, rather than as a practical upgrade to a more-efficient vehicle.”
Another factor that E Source looked at was how far people drive each day and how that affects their desire for a plug-in electric vehicle. Daily driving habits don’t seem to affect desire for the all-electric vehicle; however, desire for the PHEV grows as people spend more time in their cars. “Overall, the survey supports the existence of a huge untapped market for electric vehicles that can be charged at night at home. People seem very ready to move to the next generation of cars and dramatically decrease the frequency of their visits to the gas station,” reports LeBlanc.
The E Source study examined other variables, including home ownership, type of home, household size, annual income, gender, age, marital status, and ethnicity. One consumer who won't be waiting is MXenergy CEO Jeffrey Mayer. Mayer, head of one of the nation's leading independent energy providers, was one of the first in line to order his "Victory Red" Chevy Volt.
Key to sustainable growth
"The Volt and other plug-in vehicles getting ready to hit showroom floors represents a huge step forward for the sustainability movement," says Mayer. "The large scale production of electric cars is something many people feared might remain just a dream. I for one can't wait to be a part of that dream becoming a reality."
Regardless of which version people prefer, Mayer says the greening of America's highways is exciting to see. "People realize we have to dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil and do all we can to lessen our environmental impact as well. The introduction of electric vehicles into the marketplace is a transformational moment for the automotive industry and the sustainability movement."
Celebrating its twelfth anniversary this month, MXenergy has long been on the forefront of the sustainability movement. Created by Mayer in 1999, the company has continually strived to empower and educate customers to live more sustainable lives through carbon neutrality, the purchase of carbon offsets, renewable energy products and educational programming, in the form of MXenergyTV, an On Demand cable channel airing in the northeast United States.
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