We have been told time and again that the Japanese are among the world leaders when it comes to the adoption of EVs and green alternative means of transportation in general. However, it seems that not even they are enjoying the benefits of all-electric driving, and according to a recent study, one in three EV owners would not buy a new one.
Research firm McKinskey and Co., says that EV buyers in Japan were first drawn to the vehicles because they were “seduced” by the novelty idea of the technology and impressed by successful test drives.
When they did take delivery of the cars and began using them on a day to day basis, the still-lacking Japanese charging infrastructure and higher than expected electricity bills are making many owners reconsider their decision.
These concerns pretty much apply for the rest of the world, as well, with slight variations, of course, and especially in the US, where we suspect the reasons for delayed mass adoption are pretty much the same. Proof of this is Obama‘s claim that automakers would sell 1-million EVs in the US by 2015, which seemed unsubstantiated then, and time has only served to make it even more so.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Detroit News
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