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A University of Michigan study has found that only 5% of rural Michigan residents would choose an electric vehicle (EV) as their next car, which is lower than national averages. The findings of a survey, taken by 1,000 people, reveal that cost concerns, limited exposure and misconceptions prevent EVs from gaining traction in rural areas. 

University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) Assistant Professor Parth Vaishnav was a co-author of the study. He says the findings help researchers understand the reasons why EV adoption is low in rural areas and provide clues on how to provide better information to increase adoption of EVs, which is essential to mitigating climate change. 

“The shift to EVs is essential to ensure that the U.S. car industry remains globally competitive: The rest of the world is shifting decisively to EV’s, particularly the high-growth markets of the Global South,” he said.

The other U-M co-authors of the study were Anna Stefanopoulou, professor of mechanical engineering; Sabina Tomkins, assistant professor of information; and researcher Sally Yin.

Read the full press release on the Michigan News website.

Study: Quantifying real and perceived barriers to EV adoption in rural Michigan