A June survey by global research and analytics consultancy PSB reveled that while most Americans expect electric vehicles (EVs) to gain widespread adoption in the near future, many of them have a number of misconceptions about them.
Confusion about the capabilities of the models is not restricted to just Americans. The survey revealed that Chinese and Europeans are just as confused.
That survey, its results, and clearing up the misconceptions is the subject of a recent post on Medium by Ted Cannis, global director, electrification, Ford Motor Company.
As the head of electrification for Ford, the questions I get from family, friends and colleagues about electric vehicles run the gamut,” he shared. “‘Are electric vehicles fast?’ ‘Do they work in winter?’ ‘Can I really give up visiting the gas station?’ ‘Are they capable enough to help me do my job?'”
Cannis says that the easy answer to all those questions is, “Yes.”
More than 90 percent of Americans and Europeans don’t believe quick acceleration is a great benefit of electric vehicles. This could work out to benefit automakers like Nissan who have taken a less rapid approach to acceleration than Tesla’s Ludicrous mode allows.
EV Myths Busted: Fun to Drive | Electric Vehicles | Ford
www.youtube.com
That doesn’t mean that everyone has to offer a measured approach. Ford is seeking a more blistering approach to acceleration with its forthcoming Mustang-inspired all-electric SUV.
Other findings include:
- 42% of Americans think electric vehicles still require gas to run.
- Nearly 80% of Americans would not pick an electric vehicle for extreme weather,
while almost 65% would not choose one for all-wheel drive.
- 67% of Americans and 68% of Europeans don’t believe that electric vehicles are capable enough in terms of towing and hauling.
EV Myths Busted: Winter Test | Electric Vehicles | Ford
www.youtube.com
The company also recently showed off the capability of a prototype of an all-electric Ford F-150. With hybrid and electric variants of the model deep into development, the company had to do something to prove that EVs can haul – and they did, with over one million pounds behind the hitch.
EV Myths Busted: All-Electric F-150 Prototype Tows 1M+ Pounds | Electric Vehicles | Ford
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Recent reporting indicates that Ford could debut their all-electric pickup by 2021. The company’s long-awaited all-electric SUV is expected to arrive in showrooms in late 2020.
