The latest EY Mobility Consumer Index (MCI) — a global EY survey of more than 15,000 consumers from 20 countries — reveals that U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is at an all-time high, with about half (48%) of U.S. car buyers intending to purchase an EV in the next 24 months. This represents a 19% increase since the 2022 MCI findings, showing the highest growth in EV intent and sentiment, globally. In EV readiness overall, the U.S. jumped five spots, reaching no. 7, falling behind China, Norway and Sweden in the top three spots.
“The EY Mobility Consumer Index answers the most pressing questions around mobility in the U.S.,” said Steve Patton, mobility sector leader for EY Americas. “The MCI takes an in-depth look at the tipping point for vehicle electrification, how soon autonomous and shared mobility will take off and overarching societal implications. On the heels of government legislation aimed at mitigating consumer concerns and driving increased collaboration between private and public sectors, this year’s data demonstrates that the U.S. is at a true precipice when it comes to mainstream EV adoption. We can expect to see more EVs, both commercial and consumer, on the road.”
In 2023, the share of existing car owners intending to buy new cars in the U.S. showed a 3% increase, with the U.S. showing a significantly higher car-buying intent (12% growth to 60%) compared with the global average (which remained flat year over year at 44%).
The rise of the electric SUV — or SU(E)V — continues to prove strong, with 38% of North American buyers preferring an SUV over a sedan or other vehicle type, the EY survey found. Further, 40% of new car buyers and 37% of used car buyers would prefer purchasing an SUV over other car body types. This promise of consumer interest should embolden car companies to invest in EV models for larger vehicles, EY predicts.
Consumer Confidence Grows
Consumer confidence in EV performance has steadily grown over the past two years. In 2021, MCI findings noted that 26% of U.S. car buyers were concerned that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles outperformed EVs. Today, in comparison with ICE vehicles, EV performance was the top motivation for buying an EV, with 29% of U.S. car buyers considering an EV specifically because they believe it outperforms ICEs.
“There are a few critical drivers to adopt EVs on a large scale, from consumer sentiment, to regulatory incentives and cost,” said Felipe Smolka, automotive eMobility leader for EY Americas. “Government incentives, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), make a large impact not just on consumers but across industries. As more EV accessibility and incentives arise, whether it’s developing charging stations on interstate highways or driving battery circularity, we will see EV adoption thrive.”
Clear gains in the market are tempered by ongoing concerns about EV charging infrastructure, costs and safety. A lack of charging stations continued to be the top deterrent for potential car buyers in the U.S., the same as 2022. Over half (51%) of U.S. consumers are more worried about finding a charging station in nonresidential facilities than expensive charging costs. Further, the safety of home chargers remains a concern, with 57% of potential U.S. buyers citing safety of home chargers as the key deterrent — 10% higher than global counterparts.
As the infrastructure, performance, circularity, life-span and financial value of an EV increases in the U.S. market, EY expects to see continued adoption of EVs, both in commercial and consumer applications. Click here for the latest EY report.
