In brief
As electric vehicle fast chargers multiply along U.S. highways—with over 12,000 added this year alone—consumer anxiety remains a significant barrier. Recent polls show that around 40% of adults cite concerns about range and charging times as major deterrents to buying EVs. While prices might be coming down, the average sticker price still turns many away. Advocates like Daphne Dixon are working to change perceptions by showcasing the growing network of chargers to ease range anxiety for potential buyers.
KENT, Conn. (AP) — For most Americans, there’s less reason than ever to worry about finding chargers to fuel up an electric vehicle. But charging worries remain a top hesitation for potential buyers, second only to sticker shock.
Those concerns linger even as fast chargers multiply. More than 12,000 have been added within a mile of U.S. highways and interstates just this year, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
A recent AP-NORC poll found about 4 in 10 U.S. adults still cite range and charging time as major reasons they wouldn’t buy an EV. Only about 2 in 10 Americans say they would be “extremely” or “very” likely to make a new or used electric vehicle their next car purchase.
Daphne Dixon, a nonprofit leader advocating for clean transportation, has taken a coast-to-coast road trip in an EV each year since 2022, posting experiences to challenge misconceptions about charging availability.
Yet many drivers still fret about charging. In places like Kent, Connecticut, where fast chargers are scarce, residents feel left behind in the EV rush, despite state plans to add more charging stations.
A lot of people still fear that there’s not enough chargers, but what they’re not seeing is that chargers are being put in every single day, Dixon pointed out. Moreover, while many consumers are concerned about charging, high vehicle costs remain the primary barrier to EV ownership, with recent reports indicating electric vehicles held approximately 8% of the U.S. market share in 2024, a significant rise from just 1.9% five years prior.
Despite the growth in EV availability, advocates recognize that changing perceptions and addressing price concerns will be essential for expanding EV adoption.
