The cost of gasoline is increasing. So, where have all the electric vehicles gone?

The cost of gasoline is increasing. So, where have all the electric vehicles gone?

Increasing fuel costs may help Democrats achieve the electric future they want, but only if it doesn't wipe them out at the polls first.

With this year's string of record-breaking gasoline costs, an increasing number of people are considering trading in their gas guzzler for a battery-powered vehicle or truck, a mentality change that might help President Joe Biden fulfill his climate objectives.

In the near term, though, the overheated US economy provides little comfort to motorists or Biden's party.

Many American families still can't afford electric cars, and the stuttering supply chain means they're hard to come by, with several manufacturers warning of potentially years-long waits for their most popular models. Meanwhile, in Washington, initiatives to either alleviate the supply shortage or make electric vehicles more accessible are stalling on Capitol Hill. In addition, surveys suggest that Americans primarily blame inflation on Biden's policies, contributing to a sour political climate that might result in Republicans regaining control of Congress after November.

Some Americans can afford a new electric car, according to Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), "but a lot of others are in a situation where they just can't, and they are basically at the mercy of the price at the pump right now."

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) said that the Democratic Party's stalled policy agenda is preventing electric vehicles from taking off, and that she is "very concerned" that the party will fail to address climate change unless it passes expanded consumer tax credits and measures to boost domestic car part production.

"Electric vehicles are one of the most important weapons in the battle against climate change," Warren added. "We are placing a lot of faith in the effect of taking gasolineburning engines off our roadways and relying more on electric vehicles and public transportation to get people around." We will not be able to accomplish our climate targets unless we make that transformation quickly."

On Thursday, the national average for normal gasoline reached $4.60 per gallon, a new high, up from a pandemic-era low of $1.82 per gallon two years ago. It fell by a cent on Friday. In the same time span, interest in alternative-fuel cars has surged – the market share of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids has more than quadrupled since the coronavirus pandemic began.

As petrol prices soared approaching an all-time high in early March, Google Trends saw its highest-ever search activity for electric cars. According to auto industry analysis company Wards Intelligence, people in the United States purchased more than 204,000 electric cars and trucks in the first four months of this year, increasing 60% from the previous year, despite the fact that they still account for fewer than 1% of all vehicles on the road.

Despite increased enthusiasm, people wishing to purchase an electric car confront a significant challenge: locating one to purchase.

Global shortages of computer chips and rare minerals used in auto manufacturing have resulted in a massive supply constraint for new cars and trucks, which has been particularly

harsh on electric vehicles due to their increased reliance on electronics. (An electric vehicle requires almost double the number of chips as a gas-powered vehicle.)

According to Insider, automakers such as Ford and Volkswagen have claimed they're practically sold out of their popular electric vehicles and trucks for at least this year, while those interested in ordering the most cheap Tesla models would have to wait until December. Rivian Automotive, which makes electric SUVs and trucks, has halved its expected output for 2022 due to supply chain difficulties, particularly involving semiconductors. Because of the severe shortages, potential buyers often sign up for various waiting lists.

Then there's the matter of the cost. Even an entry-level electric vehicle like the Chevy Bolt may cost about $15,000 more than a comparable gas-powered car like the Malibu sedan from the same manufacturer. That cost is far more than the $5,000 in fuel and maintenance savings predicted by experts for electric car users over the next ten years. It's also virtually hard to locate a secondhand electric car.

Press Release by daxstreet.com