People around the world want electric vehicles, and they are gaining popularity at an unprecedented rate. The sales of electric vehicles far outshone that of traditional vehicles in 2021, even amidst major supply chain shortages that heavily affected the availability of vehicles. The sermon Elon Musk has been preaching to us since the early 2000s is finally becoming mainstream, and people are looking to buy electric vehicles like they never have before.
Notable Automakers Have Entered the Chat
Mr. Musk is no longer the only person making electric vehicles. Although, we do have to say, he is making the ugliest ones. Major car brands like Ford and Kia have technologically advanced electric models coming out in the next year, as do luxury automakers like Maserati, Audi, and BMW. Even the notoriously bad-for-the-environment Hummer has gotten a makeover to run on what many people consider to be the most eco-friendly source of energy for vehicles (many people forget, or choose to forget, energy sources like biofuels have an even smaller carbon footprint).
Some automakers are releasing sports cars, others sedans or crossovers. Ford even released an electric pick-up. As we continue into 2022, nearly every driver will be able to find a style of electric vehicle that suits their taste.
Electric Vehicles Are Still Hard to Come By
Although the amount of manufacturers entering the electric vehicle game has increased, as has the sheer number in electric vehicles being produced, they’re still difficult to buy for a couple reasons. One major reason is the current global chip shortage we’re still experiencing. This is causing delays in production on all electronics, particularly cars.
Also, there still aren’t as many electric vehicles on the market as there are traditional cars. Although the demand is growing, they still don’t make up the majority of the market. If what’s being manufactured and driven truly reflects what buyers and drivers want, the favor is still for traditional cars.
Even if you are able to get your hands on an electric vehicle, it’s still going to be very expensive to purchase. Although statistics show operating costs of an electric vehicle are lower annually than that of a traditional vehicle, the initial price is still higher than what most Americans want to spend.
Now, not every electric vehicle is priced at $200,000, like Maserati’s MC20. Some are a little more affordable, like the Citroen Ami, which costs less than $10,000. Although it’s got an ostensibly great price tag, with two only two seats and the inability to go over 50 mph, it’s not practical for most people who are buying a vehicle for everyday use. The most practical and affordable electric vehicles are priced around $40,000 for the most basic versions.
Knowing that electric vehicles are hard to come by and expensive certainly makes them less attractive, and there are still a plethora of issues that make buyers hesitant to consider them, like low availability of charging stations and time spent charging. Still, automakers are pushing them, despite clear statistics showing they’re not what most buyers want. Only time will tell whether Elon Musk was successful with his decades-long campaign.
Sources
https://policyadvice.net/insurance/insights/electric-car-statistics/
https://www.forbes.com/wheels/features/ev-survey/
https://www.wired.com/story/18-best-evs-coming-in-2022/
