Politics may be weighing less on EV interest, despite election

by: Stephen Edelstein - Green Car Reports

Posted: Nov 5, 2024 / 11:51 AM EST

Updated: Nov 5, 2024 / 11:53 AM EST

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election reaches its conclusion, politics may be playing less of a role in EV interest, data from research firm AutoPacific shows.

AutoPacific’s EV Consumer Insights Study from June 2024 surveyed 12,000 Americans, including a mix of electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid owners, non-owners with interest in EVs, and those who totally reject EVs.

In line with previous studies, owners of these vehicles tended to be more left-leaning, with 54% of current EV owners and 60% of current plug-in hybrid owners identifying as Democrats compared to 30% of EV owners and 26% of plug-in hybrid owners identifying as Republicans. The gap shrinks for “acceptors” who either intend to get or will consider an EV in the future, at 46% Democrat, 28% Republican, and 24% Independent or third party.

Reasons for not wanting an EV (from AutoPacific 2024 EV Consumer Insights Study)

However, Americans generally aren’t rejecting EVs for political reasons, according to AutoPacific. Just 8% of respondents said they would not consider an EV because “EVs are not aligned with my political beliefs”—down from 10% the previous year. Of that group, 62% identified as Republicans and 13% identified as Democrats.

Political beliefs were ranked last among 27 options for not considering an EV. The top concerns were belief that charging times were too long (52%), that respondents did not have a place to charge at home or at work (51%), and concern that EVs are too expensive to buy and/or operate (49%).

Such results should be a relief to auto industry CEOs. The push to make EVs political has surprised General Motors CEO Mary Barra and saddened Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, the two executives said earlier this year.

2025 Cadillac Lyriq

Republicans, on the other hand, might want to consider that anti-EV rhetoric puts them on the losing side of this issue. Donald Trump has suggested that he plans to gut EV policy, while relying on tariffs to increase the portion of goods—including vehicles—made in America.

Yet a 2022 poll conducted by a leading EV advocacy group found that such a divide between Republicans and Democrats is disconnected from reality, with bipartisan support for EV-friendly policy.

It’s left many Republicans puzzled about when the tide turned against EVs as representing energy independence and why politicians are detached from their constituencies, in this case—even when top Republicans have now become closely aligned with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.