2019 Electric Vehicles Survey Findings

MethodologyIn October 2019, CarGurus surveyed 1,702 automobile owners on their sentiments towards electric vehicles. Among them, 353 stated an intent to purchase a vehicle in the next six months. In November 2018, CarGurus surveyed 1,279 automobile owners as the inaugural survey of this benchmarking study.

Key Takeaways

Consumers’ intentions to buy electric vehicles has increased significantly in just one year, since CarGurus first surveyed consumers on the topic.

• Nearly half (45%) say they will probably, if not

definitely, own an electric vehicle in the next ten years—up significantly from 34% in 2018.

• A quarter (26%) say they will probably/definitely

own an electric vehicle in the next five years—up

significantly from 15% in 2018.

• See detailed results (#1).

Despite the growing interest in electric vehicles, consumers still cite concerns about cost and infrastructure, posing primary barriers to purchase.

• Cost (67%) and lack of charging stations (56%) remained the top concerns about electric vehicles, which is on par with last year’s results of 65% and 60% respectively.

• See detailed results (#2).

Toyota and Tesla are the most popular brands among shoppers that are likely to consider an EV in the coming months. Of shoppers who (1) expect to purchase a car in the next six months, and (2) say they will probably or definitely consider an electric vehicle,

• 54% would consider an electric vehicle produced by Toyota

• 52% would consider an electric vehicle produced by Tesla.

• See detailed results (#3).

However, Tesla is the leader when it comes to brand perception with electric vehicles. • A third (33%) of respondents say Tesla is the brand

they trust most with the development of electric vehicles, vs. 14% for Toyota.

• See detailed results (#4).

Additional Insights

While today’s car shoppers are still mostly likely to consider traditional gas or diesel-powered vehicles, consideration for electric vehicles is strong. Among shoppers who expect to purchase a car in the next six months,

• 34% say they will probably/definitely consider hybrid electric vehicles.

• 26% say they will probably/definitely consider fully electric vehicles.

• See detailed results (#5).

Most shoppers plan to keep their options open on fuel-type, and will consider both gas/diesel-powered and electric vehicles. Among shoppers who expect to purchase a car in the next six months,

• Only 17% say they will just consider gas or diesel-powered vehicles, and not hybrid or fully electric vehicles.

• Only 12% say they will just consider hybrid of fully electric vehicles, and not gas or diesel-powered vehicles.

Some shoppers are not convinced the extent to which electric vehicles benefit the environment.

• 38% of respondents believe electric vehicles will have a very positive impact on the environment. 40% believe the impact will only be somewhat positive, and 19% believe it will be neutral.

• Those conflicted on the environmental impact were most likely to cite concerns about the production of batteries necessary to power electric vehicles.

• See detailed results (#6).

People that live in the city are more likely to be interested in and have favorable perceptions of electric vehicles.

• 61% of urban consumers are excited about the development of electric vehicles, vs. 54% on average.

• Urban consumers have a better perception of the environmental impact of electric vehicles: 45% say the impact of EV’s is very positive for the environment, vs. 38% on average.

Detailed Results

1. Which brand of electric vehicles (hybrid or electric) do you own? Among owners of either hybrid or electric vehicles. Showing top 5 results. a. Toyota, 29%

b. Honda, 13%

c. Ford, 11%

d. Chevrolet, 9%

e. Tesla, 7%

2. What is your overall opinion about the development of electric vehicles? a. Excited, 54%

b. Neutral, 41%

c. Concerned, 5%

3. What are you most excited about when it comes to electric vehicles? Select up to three. a. Fuel costs, 67%

b. Environmental benefits, 60%

c. Maintenance costs, 21%

d. Time spent on fuel and maintenance, 19%

e. Driving experience, 17%

f. Performance/speed, 13%

g. Safety, 13%

h. Being one of the first to try new technology, 6%

4. What are you most concerned about when it comes to electric vehicles? Select up to three. a. They are expensive, 67%

b. The infrastructure doesn’t offer enough charging stations, 56%

c. The technology isn’t ready (e.g., range, charging time), 41%

d. The new technology isn’t safe and reliable, 20%

5. What impact do you believe electric vehicles have on the environment?

a. Very positive, 38%

b. Somewhat positive, 40%

c. Neutral, 19%

d. Somewhat negative, 3%

e. Very negative, 1%

6. How likely are you to own an electric vehicle…? a. In the next year:

i. Definitely, 5%

ii. Probably, 9%

iii. Possibly, 21%

iv. Probably not, 29%

v. Definitely not, 36%

b. In the next 5 years:

i. Definitely, 9%

ii. Probably, 17%

iii. Possibly, 33%

iv. Probably not, 26%

v. Definitely not, 15%

c. In the next 10 years:

i. Definitely, 23%

ii. Probably, 23%

iii. Possibly, 34%

iv. Probably not, 12%

v. Definitely not, 9%

7. For your next vehicle, how likely are you to consider…? Among respondents who intend to purchase a vehicle in the next 6 months a. A fully electric vehicle

i. Definitely, 12%

ii. Probably, 14%

iii. Possibly, 32%

iv. Probably not, 25%

v. Definitely not, 16%

b. A hybrid electric vehicle

i. Definitely, 14%

ii. Probably, 22%

iii. Possibly, 39%

iv. Probably not, 16%

v. Definitely not, 9%

c. A gas or diesel-powered vehicle

i. Definitely, 20%

ii. Probably, 36%

iii. Possibly, 27%

iv. Probably not, 10%

v. Definitely not, 6%

f. Chevrolet, 25%

g. Subaru, 23%

h. Audi, 21%

i. Hyundai, 20%

j. Lexus, 17%

k. BMW, 17%

8. Which brand of electric vehicle are you likely to consider? Select all that apply. Among respondents who intend to purchase a vehicle in the next 6 months and would definitely/probably consider either a fully or hybrid electric vehicle. Showing top results. a. Toyota, 54%

b. Tesla, 52%

c. Honda, 41%

d. Nissan, 28%

e. Ford, 25%

9. What would be the most important to you when evaluating an electric vehicle? a. Range, 37%

b. Charging speed, 17%

c. Ability to drive in poor weather, 16%

d. Speed/performance, 13%

e. Self-driving technology, 8%

f. Look of the vehicle, 3%

10. What company do you trust most to develop electric vehicles? Showing top 5 results. a. Tesla, 33%

b. Toyota, 14%

c. Honda, 8%

d. General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick), 7%

e. Ford, 6%

6. How likely are you to own an electric vehicle…? a. In the next year:

i. Definitely, 5%

ii. Probably, 9%

iii. Possibly, 21%

iv. Probably not, 29%

v. Definitely not, 36%

b. In the next 5 years:

i. Definitely, 9%

ii. Probably, 17%

iii. Possibly, 33%

iv. Probably not, 26%

v. Definitely not, 15%

c. In the next 10 years:

i. Definitely, 23%

ii. Probably, 23%

iii. Possibly, 34%

iv. Probably not, 12%

v. Definitely not, 9%

7. For your next vehicle, how likely are you to consider…? Among respondents who intend to purchase a vehicle in the next 6 months a. A fully electric vehicle

i. Definitely, 12%

ii. Probably, 14%

iii. Possibly, 32%

iv. Probably not, 25%

v. Definitely not, 16%

b. A hybrid electric vehicle

i. Definitely, 14%

ii. Probably, 22%

iii. Possibly, 39%

iv. Probably not, 16%

v. Definitely not, 9%

c. A gas or diesel-powered vehicle

i. Definitely, 20%

ii. Probably, 36%

iii. Possibly, 27%

iv. Probably not, 10%

v. Definitely not, 6%

f. Chevrolet, 25%

g. Subaru, 23%

h. Audi, 21%

i. Hyundai, 20%

j. Lexus, 17%

k. BMW, 17%

CarGurus Electric Vehicle Data Consumer activity from January 2017-October 2019

Searches for new electric vehicles on CarGurus.com have increased 101%

Searches for used electric vehicles on CarGurus.com have increased 59%

Leads for new electric vehicles on CarGurus.com have increased 335%

Leads for used electric vehicles on CarGurus.com have increased 108%

Leads for CPO electric vehicles on CarGurus.com have increased 80%