Electric Vehicle Survey Methodology and Assumptions

The survey found that approximately 43-44% of households in California and the Northeast are technically suitable for current plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) based on parking, hauling, and passenger needs. Consumer interest in EVs is higher in California, where 54.63% are likely to consider one for their next vehicle, compared to 34.86% in the Northeast. The most cited barrier to ownership is the purchase price, and the most desired policy is a tax credit or rebate. While there is strong agreement that EVs reduce climate emissions, awareness of specific government and utility incentives remains low.

• Approximately 43% to 44% of households in the surveyed regions are potentially suitable for current plug-in electric vehicles based on three criteria: off-street parking with electricity, no need for hauling/towing capacity, and a requirement for five or fewer occupants.
• General interest in electric vehicle technology is higher in California, with over 65% of drivers interested, compared to approximately 54% of drivers in the Northeast.
• The most significant attribute to encourage EV consideration is a lower purchase price, and the most preferred public policy is a tax credit or rebate for the purchase price.
• The primary concern regarding EV ownership is the lack of public charging stations, followed by the cost of the vehicles.
• There is a high level of agreement that plug-in electric vehicles reduce climate emissions compared to average gasoline vehicles, with over 72% agreeing in both regions.
• Awareness of EV incentives is very low; in the Northeast, 74.89% of respondents were unaware of any incentives, and in California, 56.47% were unaware.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2016). Electric Vehicle Survey Methodology and Assumptions. https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/05/Electric-Vehicle-Survey-Methodology.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Electric Vehicle Survey Methodology and Assumptions. 2016. https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/05/Electric-Vehicle-Survey-Methodology.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Electric Vehicle Survey Methodology and Assumptions |date=May 2016 |url=https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/05/Electric-Vehicle-Survey-Methodology.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2016electric, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Electric Vehicle Survey Methodology and Assumptions}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2016}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/05/Electric-Vehicle-Survey-Methodology.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }