![75% of consumers open to electric vehicle purchases... Chinese EVs face price advantage and trust hurdles [Photo courtesy: Chabot Mobility]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/02/CP-2023-0320/image-bdbda478-1a65-420a-a37c-8899e237b09e.jpeg)
As electric vehicles gain traction in the U.S. auto market, trust and safety remain pivotal in consumer decision-making.
Chabot Mobility revealed on February 10 that 75.1% of respondents showed interest in purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) and fully autonomous driving (FSD) vehicles, based on a survey of 450 prospective car buyers for 2026.
The survey found that 41.9% of respondents were targeting EVs, 18.4% were actively considering them, and 9.4% were committed to EV purchases. Generational differences were stark, with 100% acceptance among those in their 20s and 85.4% for those in their 30s, while acceptance rates dropped significantly for those 50 and older.
The primary motivators for EV consideration were lower charging costs compared to gas (62.5%), government incentives (41.3%), and tax benefits (32.7%).
However, concerns persisted about charging infrastructure (45.3%), safety issues including fire risks (34.9%), charging times (32.8%), and battery longevity and replacement costs (32.3%). Notably, 67% of respondents viewed the 2026 EV subsidy policy as influential, with 37.9% citing some impact and 29.6% indicating a significant impact.
Regarding Chinese EV brands, 38.6% expressed interest but low confidence in reliability. While price competitiveness (64.3%) was the main attraction, concerns centered on quality and durability (63.2%), inadequate after-sales service networks (60.6%), and safety and battery fire risks (54.2%).
Looking ahead, respondents prioritized safety standards (26.7%) in autonomous vehicles, followed by software update capabilities (23.8%), self-driving technology levels (21.7%), and technology over brand reputation (18.0%).
Only 7.2% anticipated no change in vehicle selection criteria, indicating a widespread belief that autonomous driving tech will reshape purchasing factors. For advanced self-driving features like FSD, 76.5% were willing to pay extra, with 40.5% preferring a price range of 3 million KRW to 5 million KRW (2,250 to 3,750 USD).
A Chabot Mobility spokesperson noted, “EVs are becoming practical alternatives as buyers consider long-term savings beyond environmental benefits. While Chinese EV brands are gaining attention for competitive pricing, establishing trust in quality, after-sales support, and safety will be crucial for their market success.”
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
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