Electric cars unattractive if priced higher than gas vehicles: survey

TOKYO — Eighty-five percent of consumers said they will not purchase electric vehicles if they are at least 200,000 yen more expensive than gasoline vehicles, even if the cost to run electric cars is much lower, a survey shows. ‘‘To make electric vehicles widespread, it would require ingenuity such as holding down initial costs including vehicle value by making use of cheaper electricity costs,’’ said consulting firm Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting Co, which conducted the survey.

The survey was conducted in March through the Internet on 2,075 men and women aged between 20 and 69, it said.

Meanwhile, the largest proportion of respondents, or 28%, said they will buy electric vehicles if the price matches that of gasoline-fueled cars and if the electric vehicles have high fuel efficiency equivalent to 100 kilometers per liter of gasoline.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/electric-cars-unattractive-if-priced-higher-than-gas-vehicles-survey