What prevents drivers from buying electric cars? Main reasons at a glance

The ongoing mobility evolution normalizing electric vehicles (EVs) is commendable and is enough to compel drivers to buy one, as EVs are environmentally friendly, fun to drive and generally believed to reduce fuel/energy costs. Even so, the adoption of electric cars is not favored over vehicles with internal combustion engines, which means that the transition may stall.

Let’s delve deeper into what’s really holding back the reception of electric cars despite countless automakers rolling out countless flashy electrified vehicles equipped with advanced, sophisticated technology.

Affordability: The biggest roadblock

First of all, you have to remember that electric cars definitely cost a fortune – thanks to the technology underneath, its cost and the careful engineering behind it. The expensive aspect of low EV adoption is also backed up by Ashley Nunes, a senior research associate at Harvard Law School, who says: “We looked at 13 years of electric car prices in the US, and in inflation-adjusted dollars, the average price of an EV is going up, not down.”

Despite a 25% drop in battery prices by 2024, electric cars still have higher upfront costs than gasoline cars, especially in markets with limited subsidies or high interest rates. According to the data, China is the leader in electric vehicles, with two-thirds of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sold in 2024 priced lower than their combustion counterparts. Emerging markets such as Thailand, Brazil and Indonesia also benefit from affordable Chinese models.

In contrast, European markets seem unlucky as they registered a trivial change in EV prices with significant premiums for BEV SUVs. The US faces similar challenges, with high prices limiting mass adoption.

Charging infrastructure

Across regions, charging availability is another serious bottleneck, as even in countries with rapidly expanding public networks, many drivers are concerned about the infrastructure for charging electric cars. City dwellers in apartments and households without off-street parking face significant hurdles in installing home chargers – a problem common from the US to Europe to parts of Asia.

Meanwhile, public collection is growing, but at an inconsistent pace. Some regions have established extensive fast-charging systems, while others rely on slow chargers or have networks prone to outages.

Even in areas with plenty of chargers, compatibility issues, queues at peak times and variable prices negatively affect consumer confidence.

For most people, the question is thus not just whether electric cars are technologically capable – it is whether they can be conveniently driven.

EV performance issues

Besides the limited range in EVs, another concern that continues to deter buyers is performance, a key factor when it comes to daily commuting. While drivers in colder climates worry about range degradation in winter, drivers in rural areas and long-haul drivers question whether charging stops will extend their journeys.

And while modern EVs do well in most urban travel conditions, options suited to towing, large family hauling and heavy hauling are still not plentiful.

In many countries, electric cars are often bought as a supplement rather than a replacement. Households buy an electric car for short trips while keeping a separate gasoline vehicle for long-distance or heavy-duty needs. This treatment not only signals uncertainty, but also the limited availability of electric cars that meet all use cases.

Limited availability

Another barrier to wider EV adoption worldwide is the mismatch between what consumers want and what is available to them. Buyers chasing large SUVs, minivans or cheap compacts have limited options for EVs, and this is where China stands out to offer an incredible range, from ultra-compact city cars to low-cost electric SUVs.

Despite these problems, forecasts from industry analysts suggest corrections are due, as new models planned through 2026 are expected to close many of these gaps. But as of now, many shoppers are struggling to find an electric car that fits their lifestyle, budget or feature expectations.

Production challenges

EV makers are adjusting expectations as adoption appears to have slowed, and some major automakers are limiting EV production plans, scaling back partnerships or delaying capacity expansions.

These shifts are also driven by slower demand growth and partly by uncertainty in supply chains, developing tax networks and regulatory environments.

With auto unions and policymakers worldwide preparing for an electric future, upcoming regulatory standards, especially in Europe, will force manufacturers to expand the offerings of affordable electric cars.

Trends in sales of electric cars

The surprising part of the picture is that global sales of electric cars are increasing with varying momentum. Markets such as the US and Europe have recorded slow growth compared to previous rates, while China and emerging markets are accelerating thanks to lower prices and wider model availability.

This trend was also observed in other regions where affordability and infrastructure increased the rate of adoption.

Total sales of global electric car manufacturers so far in 2025

What is the future of electric cars?

Despite setbacks such as prohibitive prices, inadequate charging infrastructure and performance limitations, the global EV transition is nevertheless moving forward, and more affordable models are on the horizon.

Competition in battery technology is also intensifying and infrastructure networks are expanding with each passing year. With these elements combined, the barriers holding back EVs will gradually decrease, most likely.

For now, the EV landscape is an uneven progression, not quite ready to accommodate all kinds of drivers worldwide.