Consumers Have Positive View of Hybrids, EVs
Consumer attitudes toward plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles have have reached a point where more than half of respondents to a new survey said they believed PHEVs are as good or better than gasoline vehicles.
Consumer attitudes toward plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles have have reached a point where more than half of respondents to a new survey said they believed PHEVs are as good or better than gasoline vehicles.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a report that found 52% of respondents believe plug-in hybrids are as good as or better than gasoline vehicles, while 45% said the same for pure electric vehicles.
In the section of the report regarding plug-in electric vehicle awareness, 48% of respondents were able to name a specific plug-in electric vehicle make and model. The study also found that 24% of consumers would consider purchasing a plug-in hybrid, and 20% would consider purchasing a pure electric vehicle.
In regards to barriers of acceptance for plug-in electric vehicles, 56% of respondents said a pure electric vehicle would need to be able to travel 300 miles on a single charge before they would consider purchasing one.
Meanwhile, 51% percent said they would be willing to pay incremental costs for plug-in electric vehicles. However, the study also found that new-vehicle buyers were more likely than used-vehicle buyers to be willing to consider purchasing a plug-in electric vehicle.
Respondents who were aware of plug-in electric vehicle stations, and could name a top best-selling plug-in electric vehicle, viewed plug-in electric vehicles positively and said they would consider purchasing them.
For the report, “Consumer Views on Plug-in Electric Vehicles-National Benchmark Report,” NREL interviewed 1,015 households in February of 2015. To read the report, click here.
More Green Fleet

EV Charging Use Is Outpacing Infrastructure Growth
ChargePoint’s 2026 Charging Forward Report points to rising charger use, higher-powered charging, commercial vehicle electrification, and energy-management technology. Here’s what fleets should know.
Read More →
Merchants Fleet Reports 290M EV Miles as Fleets Navigate Changing Electrification Market
From millions in operating savings to hundreds of millions of EV miles, Merchants Fleet’s latest report reveals what’s working and what’s changing in fleet electrification.
Read More →
The EV Breakdown Nobody's Talking About: Why Most Electric Vehicle Roadside Calls Aren't Mechanical Failures
Here's why EV breakdowns are widely misunderstood.
Read More →
ChargePoint Now Available in Energy Pass
ChargePoint and additional planned charging network integrations were added to GM's Energy Pass.
Read More →First Look: Slate Auto's Electric Fleet Pickup
Could an affordable, modular EV pickup make electrification more practical for fleets?
Read More →
Slate Debuts Colorful, Unique EV Models
A recent media and client event, studded with electric vehicles dressed up on platforms, planted a new position for the manufacturer in the wider EV market. Fleets will find cost-saving advantages.
Read More →
Slate Electric SUV, Pickup Switchable Model Aims For Light-Duty Fleets
Everything about this EV is counterintuitive and understated, making it stand out from the crowd.
Read More →
Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets
Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
