Whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a rating system that is based on letters or numbers, for the American consumer, environmental concerns are trumped by concerns about price and concerns about US dependence on foreign oil.Jack Gillis, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America, said both of EPA's proposed labels are an improvement over the current label, for the American consumer, he concedes that money is still an important concern.
Sticker price is not the only economic concern, annual fuel costs are also important to consumers and therefore important in the marketing of new vehicles.
Concerns about dependence on foreign oil is another priority for American consumers. Gillis said that the CFA's research shows that "concern about our dependence on foreign oil seem to have a greater impact on consumer attitudes than environmental concerns."
According to David Champion, the head of automotive testing for the influential Consumer Reports magazine, credibility will be a critical factor in marketing the new electric cars and building a market for the next generation of electric vehicles.
While some consumers may opt for the new car technology for emotional reasons, the mainstream market has more practical concerns. “It’s going to be a very difficult numbers game for consumers” to decide if the economics justify turning to electric propulsion, Champion said.
Related Posts
US Government's New Car Ratings
House Lawmakers Oppose New Car Ratings
EPA's New Mileage Estimates for the Volt and the Leaf
The Chevrolet Volt Versus the Nissan Leaf
Volt Wins Green Car of the Year
Video: Chevrolet Volt Test Drive
Video: Chevrolet Volt Vs. Nissan Leaf
Video Trailer: Revenge of the Electric Car
Competition in the 2011 Greener Car Market
Improving Battery Technology Key to Greener Cars
Innovative Business Models are Driving the Auto Sector
Electric Vehicles Need New Business Models
Greening Vehicle Fleets
Competition in the Green Vehicle Market
Germany and the Global Competition for EV Supremacy
Volkswagen's Dirty Automotive Brands
Porsche and Audi`s Greener Vehicles
Volkswagen's Greener Vehicles
European Greener Cars
Electric Vehicles Combat Global Warming
Electric Vehicles Combat Smog
Electric Vehicle Bill Passes Energy Committee
Governments and the Growth of EVs
Government Investment Fuels Greener Vehicles
Private Public Cooperation Behind SA Joule
Greener Commercial Transport Vehicles
Electric Vehicles Will Drive Demand for Lithium
Electric Vehicle Battery Technology Obstacles and Solutions
American Electric Vehicle Strategy
Beneficiaries of Chinese Government Investment in Electric Vehicles
Chinese Government Investment in Electric Vehicles
Beneficiaries of US Government Investment in Electric Vehicles
Government Investment Fuels Greener Vehicles
GM Breakthrough Reduces Emissions
Toyota and Tesla Making Electric Sedan
Toyota's Greener Vehicles
Honda's CR-Z and Second Generation Hybrids
Honda's Greener Vehicles
GM's Greener Vehicles
Ford's Greener Vehicles
Korean (Hyundai & Kia) Greener Cars
Nissan's Greener Vehicles
Jaguar XJ: A Greener Luxury Car
E-Range: World's First Fully Electric 4x4
The FIAT 500 is Coming to America
The Winners of the UK's What Car? Green Awards 2010
0 comments:
Post a Comment