Study Results: It's Not About Price, This Is What Makes Consumers Hesitate to Switch to Electric Cars

JAKARTA - Price is often considered one of the obstacles for people to switch to electric cars. However, the latest findings show a more complex picture, where consumers are more concerned about mileage and charging time than the price tag of electric vehicles (EV).

This was revealed in the Global Automotive Consumer Study 2026 released by Deloitte. This survey involved more than 28,500 respondents from 27 countries and was conducted in October-November 2025, as reported by Insideevs, Friday, January 9.

As a result, as many as 47 percent of respondents in the United States cited mileage as the main reason they were hesitant to buy an EV. The next concern is charging time (44 percent), while the overall cost is in third place with 40 percent.

American public interest in pure electric vehicles is also stagnant. The intention to purchase EVs only increased slightly from 5 percent in 2024 to 7 percent in 2025.

Conversely, conventional fuel vehicles still dominate the choice with a share of 61 percent, followed by hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) at 26 percent. However, EVs still have their own appeal.

As many as 52 percent of respondents admitted that lower operating costs were the main reason for considering switching to electric vehicles. This advantage is most felt by EV owners who can charge at home, not relying on public charging stations.

The problem is, the reality on the ground is not fully supportive. Although 77 percent of respondents plan to charge at home, more than half, or about 53 percent, admit they do not have access to a special home charger.

This condition confirms that charging infrastructure is still a big homework for the electric vehicle ecosystem. The end of federal tax incentives in the US also has a real impact.

Cox Automotive data recorded a sharp decline in the share of EV sales, from 11.6 percent in September to 5.8 percent in October, the first month without incentives. This figure is even lower than January (7.7 percent) and May (6.9 percent).

Despite slowing sales, the EV market has not lost its direction. The presence of more affordable models, such as the Chevrolet Bolt, Equinox EV, Nissan Leaf, and standard variants of the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y, provide an attractive alternative for consumers who want to switch to electricity without spending more than 40,000 US dollars.

Interestingly, this study also noted a shift in consumer behavior, where as many as 53 percent of respondents admitted that they were no longer loyal to one brand. Quality is the main reason for switching brands (58 percent), followed by performance (51 percent) and price (46 percent).

In addition, the over-the-air software update feature is increasingly in demand, with 62 percent of respondents stating that they are willing to pay more for vehicles whose performance can improve over time. In conclusion, car consumers in America do not completely reject electric vehicles.

They are just being realistic waiting for an EV that is truly practical, efficient, and supported by adequate infrastructure. This also explains why hybrid and PHEV vehicles are becoming more popular, while the pure EV market continues to find its momentum in 2026.