Full disclosure, I'm a petrol-head. I like the gas based vehicles, and bring a healthy skepticism to fleet electrification, and I have historically not found much to like about the available EV models in the US. But, I'm optimistic about changes to the available models, and much more aware now that customer concerns present far fewer obstacles to EV adoption than manufacturer and distribution challenges.
Customers have the typical range and price concerns, after we allow for new models to overcome the design issues. In the US, at least, where consumers have flatly rejected small commuter cars, the typical EV didn't get traction because of their design. Small light cars, even with decent commuter range, didn't excite anyone. But, new trucks, sports cars and luxury models will erase all of the design concerns.
Range and price persist as issues. Subsidies remain likely at state and federal level for the foreseeable future, so less a problem than range perception issues. Range is a "chicken & egg" challenge: batteries have to be bigger or more efficient until more public charging infrastructure arrives, but if we had lots of public fast charging, the range issue goes away. Industry will figure that part out.
The biggest obstacle I see in EV adoption involves manufacturers and distribution through the traditional dealer networks. Dealers don't generally like EVs. Their people aren't trained. The vehicles don't sell well without subsidies. EV's also don't require as many repairs (as far as we know), so service departments will struggle as EV penetration increases, and service is where the majority of local dealers earn their profits. EV's really need charging stations, and oddly those are hard to get installed easily, which screws up the deal and can cost dealers money. Charging stations in the home require permits, licensed installers, and a LOT more money than customers expect, which isn't part of the car deal, and often messes up the financing.
Finally, manufacturers have to find a way to retool their massive industrial machines from petrol to EV and maintain the profitability and business returns that their shareholders expect. That's a massive shift for an industry that still hasn't figure out how to make a profit on the electric vehicle.
The latest models of EVs, especially the SUV and truck options, likely will solve customer concerns for the most part. If manufacturers can solve the range and price issues, EV adoption will accelerate nicely, I'll bet.
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