U.S. Consumers Skeptical about EVs, Autonomy

U.S. consumers remain deeply skeptical about self-driving vehicles and nearly so regarding electric cars, according to a new J.D. Power survey.

The inaugural J.D. Power Mobility Confidence Index says consumer confidence in autonomous vehicles and EVs is 36 and 55, respectively, on a 100-point scale. Power conducted the study with software company SurveyMonkey.

“These scores are not encouraging,” says Kristin Kolodge, who headed the quarterly study. She points to a major disconnect between the industry’s rush to adopt both technologies and customer willingness to consider either.

Consumers are especially skeptical about the safety and liability exposure of robotic cars. But two-thirds of respondents also admit they know very little about the technology. Power says younger consumers are significantly more confident about the future of autonomous vehicles than are those 55 or older.

Respondents are more positive, but still neutral, about EVs. Two-thirds of them have never ridden in such a vehicle, and only 39% describe themselves as likely to buy one. More than half agree that EVs are better for the environment than piston-powered cars. But half worry about purchase cost, and two-thirds fret about finding charging stations.

Two-thirds of respondents express concern about the range of an EV. Three-fourths saying they want an electric car to travel at least 300 miles per charge—and take no more than 30 minutes to recharge for another 200 miles.

One encouraging finding: 75% of respondents who have owned an EV say they’d buy or lease another.