Challenges to the Adoption of Electric Vehicles

A respected clinical researcher, Carl Bazan, MD, has worked to ensure that investigational sites worldwide meet compliance and quality mandates. With a strong interest in technology, Dr. Carl Bazan has a particular focus on the potential of electric vehicles (EVs) in improving lives.

A recent Forbes article brought focus to the launch of Veloz, an organization that partners with major car manufacturers, charging network providers, and electricity providers in creating a commercial and policy landscape that seeks to make green transportation more accessible. Unfortunately, even Veloz’s core “Electric For All” program may not be enough to provide average consumers with immediate incentives to switch to EVs.

Notwithstanding the recent construction of an electric highway in Australia, one major issue is that such a thoroughfare is still far from a reality in the United Kingdom and the United States. Even where charging networks exist, those rapid chargers that can charge vehicles to 85 percent within half an hour are scarce. At the same time, battery cell production has not expanded enough to fulfill current demand scenarios, which is hampering overall growth.

Another issue is price, with average fully equipped EVs starting in the $40,000 range. This is substantially more than their gas-consuming counterparts. At the same time, a substantial number of consumers are wary of purchasing what they perceive as an early-stage technology that will improve in efficiency and come down in price significantly in the coming years. A core hurdle is changing consumer expectations and desires, as well as the way in which individual car ownership is constructed as a necessity in daily life.