More Canadians are abandoning the idea of ever owning an electric vehicle.
A study by J.D. Power has revealed a growing reluctance among Canadian consumers to embrace this automotive technology.
Despite the touted environmental benefits and the Liberal government’s spending, the study shows a complex picture of the Canadian EV market, with a slight majority of new-car buyers hesitant to make the switch from traditional combustion engines.
The findings come at a time when the automotive industry is at a crossroads, with significant investments being poured into the development of EVs and their supporting infrastructure.
A whopping 52% of potential buyers said they were “very unlikely” to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
On the other hand, only 28.5% of potential buyers said they were willing to go electric, down from 34% two years ago.
According to J.D. Power director of automotive practice J.D. Ney, reality is catching up to the market.
“Auto manufacturers are staking their futures on EVs and investing massive sums in battery manufacturing facilities in Canada,” said Ney.
“But the reality is that they are still considerably more expensive than comparable gas-powered vehicles, and more education is needed to help shoppers feel comfortable making the transition.”
The hesitancy is attributed to various factors, including the prevalent range anxiety, the perceived inadequacy of charging facilities, and the higher upfront costs associated with electric vehicles.
These concerns have persisted even though the number of applications for federal EV discounts has seen a dramatic increase, suggesting that while interest in EVs is growing, it is not translating into the expected surge in sales.
This trend is bucking the previous optimism surrounding EV adoption. Just two years ago, a larger percentage of Canadians were open to purchasing an EV, but that number has since declined.
