(NewsNation) — Nearly half of U.S. electric car owners say they would switch back to a traditional engine, which represents a significantly higher number than others around the world posed with the same choice.
A survey conducted by McKinsey Center For Future Mobility reported that 46% of U.S. car owners who drive electric vehicles would shift back to an internal combustion engine. The percentage was the second highest behind electric car owners from the United Kingdom, 49% of which would switch back.
The 46% of Americans who would make the move is much higher than the worldwide average of those who would return to a traditional car, which sits at 29%, the report said.
The study found that the biggest reason for electric vehicle owners to switch back is that public car charging stations are unsuitable. Meanwhile, 34% of those who indicated they would return to a traditional vehicle said the overall cost was too high.
Only 13% of those polled said they did not enjoy the electric vehicle driving experience.
Brian Moody, the excutive editor at AutoTrader.com, told NewsNation Now that the reality of owning an electric vehicle has become too much of a hassle for some car owners. Much of that is dependent on where one lives, Moody said. For example, 25% of California car owners drive electric vehicles compared to only 1% of those living in Wisconsin.
“I think the main driver of this is that an electric car adds a complexity to your daily life that I think most people are trying to eliminate,” Moody said. “They’re not trying to make their lives more complicated. They’re trying to make things more simple.”
The study also found that 38% of global respondents who do not yet own an electric vehicle yet would either consider a battery-operated version or one that requires plugging in to a charging station. However only 9% of respondents found that existing electric vehicle charging stations are sufficient.
More than half of the respondents who own electric cars worldwide (59%) say that they would like to see more digital connectivity services in the future.
The study found of those considering purchasing an electric car in the future, most have a higher disposable income. Respondents who were open to EVs had an average monthly pre-tax house household income of $6,230 while those skeptical about purchasing an electric vehicle earned only $4,235 each month.
The average age of those considering an EV purchase was 42, compared to those who are skeptical, who was just slightly older than 50 years of age. Those open to electric vehicles tend to live in urban or downtown areas and consider themselves more tech-savvy.
Moody says more than anything, those considering the move back to a gas-powered car are doing so because of a case of buyer’s remorse.
“Sometimes, when you buy something based on ideaology, it doesn’t always work out the way you had anticipated,” Moody said.