"US Conservatives Dislike Electric Cars"...Unexpected Challenges in Electric Car Sales

An analysis in the United States has revealed that consumers' political orientations pose an unexpected obstacle to the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). This is because conservative individuals harbor resentment toward the Biden administration's pro-environment policies.

On the 27th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) released the results of a survey conducted from March 9 to 11, polling about 2,200 American adults on their opinions about electric vehicles. According to the survey, 40% of Americans held negative views on EVs, and when asked why, 38% cited political beliefs as a factor.

Among respondents who identified as progressives, 66% had favorable views of EVs, whereas only 31% of conservatives shared this sentiment. WSJ explained, "Conservatives tend to criticize EV subsidies and dislike regulations that steer consumers toward specific products, while progressives are more likely to drive EVs for environmental reasons."

As the growth in EV demand slows, consumers' political orientations have emerged as another concern for the automotive industry. The Biden administration has tightened carbon emission standards to encourage the industry to sell more EVs, requiring that over 60% of vehicles sold in the U.S. within the next decade be electric.

Republican strategist Mike Murphy pointed out, "The fact that millions of Americans ideologically oppose EVs could make it more difficult for automakers to comply with these rules." He added, "Psychological resistance to EVs mainly appears among Republicans, and if this tribalism is not overcome, the industry will fail to sell enough EVs."

Politicians seem to be using EVs as a "vote-grabbing" tool ahead of the November election. WSJ noted, "Some Republican lawmakers have criticized President Biden for forcing EV sales, while Democratic lawmakers have boasted that federal funding for EV projects, such as battery factories, amounts to tens of billions of dollars."

The automotive industry is cautious about getting entangled in political issues. David Perez, a dealer selling GM, GMC, and Chevrolet brands in New Jersey, said, "Rather than trying to persuade customers who have reservations about EVs, I prefer to talk about the broader market for electric vehicles."

John Bozzella, chairman of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), stated that since opinions on EVs vary according to consumers' political orientations, he has conveyed to regulators the position that consumer choice should be respected over regulation.