Americans Worry More About EV Range Than Price, Study Says: Is It Anxiety or Wallet Wisdom?

TL;DR: A new study from Deloitte says Americans are more concerned about how far an EV can go and how long it takes to charge than they are about the actual price tag. This is happenin' even after the federal tax credit disappeared, causin' EV sales to dip. It's a head-scratcher, 'cause the wallet usually talks loudest, but it seems range anxiety is screamin' right now.

Meta: Deloitte's study reveals Americans prioritize EV range and charging time over cost, despite post-tax credit EV sales decline.

Alright, let's unpack this like a fresh box of donuts! You'd think with all the talk about EV prices, that would be the main thing stoppin' folks from goin' electric, right? But a new study from Deloitte, bless their data-crunchin' hearts, just dropped a bomb: Americans are more worried about range and charging time than they are about how much the damn car costs! I'm talkin' 47% worried about range, 44% about charging time, and only 40% about the overall cost. Now, that's what I call a plot twist!

This study, which polled over 28,500 people across 27 countries, happened between October and November 2025. And what else did it find? EV purchase intent only nudged up from 5% to 7% last year, while hybrids and combustion cars stayed strong. But here's where it gets juicy: the federal EV tax credit ended, and boom! EV market share dropped from 11.6% in September to 5.8% in October. So, while people say price isn't the top concern, their wallets seem to tell a different story when a $7,500 incentive goes poof! It's like sayin' you don't care about a free meal, but then you're the first one in line when they announce a buffet, you dig?

The Home Charging Bottleneck

Now, there's another piece to this puzzle: home charging. A massive 77% of folks plan to charge their EV at home, which makes sense; it's convenient and usually cheaper. But a hefty 53% reported not even having access to a dedicated home charger. That's a major bottleneck! It's like havin' a fancy new coffee machine but no outlet to plug it in. What good is a cheaper "fuel" if you can't get it easily?

This all explains why hybrids and PHEVs have been gettin' a lot of love lately. People ain't abandonin' electrification, they're just bein' pragmatic. They want to save money on running costs, but they don't want to trade one anxiety (gas prices) for another (range and charging). They're lookin' for the sweet spot, that comfortable middle ground. And with new affordable EVs like the Chevy Bolt and Equinox, the Nissan Leaf, and cheaper Tesla Model 3 and Y variants comin' out, there are more options for folks to go electric without breakin' the bank, or stressin' about gettin' stuck.

What’s Next

This Deloitte study highlights the enduring challenge for the EV industry: overcoming range and charging infrastructure anxieties, even as prices become more competitive. Automakers and policymakers will need to focus heavily on expanding reliable and convenient public charging options, alongside promoting accessible home charging solutions for all types of residences. This focus on user experience, beyond just initial cost, will be critical for driving broader EV adoption. We can also anticipate a continued strong market for hybrids as consumers seek familiar solutions to energy concerns. The journey to mass EV adoption is less about a single silver bullet and more about a holistic ecosystem solution. It's a marathon, not a sprint, baby.

So, if you're sellin' EVs, don't just talk dollars and cents; talk miles and minutes! 'Cause it turns out, peace of mind is worth more than a few bucks. Now that's some market research you can take to the bank, or the charging station!