Commentary
Consumers Have Much To Learn About EVs
- by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, April 8, 2024
I’ve long been convinced that auto shows are one of the best places for consumers to learn about new technology and electric vehicles.
So I was heartened to read that the interest in the EV test track at the New York International Auto Show was off to a good start on the first weekend the show was open to the public.
Ridership was up 78% compared to 2022 and 21% compared to 2023, according to show officials.
The indoor track features three lanes specifically tailored to showcase the vehicles’ capabilities -- a suspension/comfort lane, a slalom lane, and an adrenaline-pumping acceleration lane -- giving attendees a chance to experience a wide range of electrics in a fun, informative environment.
Accompanied by professional drivers acting as brand-specific ambassadors, attendees gain valuable insights into each vehicle's features and technologies while learning about the future of electrification.
This year’s show floor includes 230,000 sq. ft. devoted to EV displays, including the expanded 90,000-square-foot test track featuring eight vehicle manufacturers showcasing 11 EVs: Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Ford Lightning F-150 EV, Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6 GT, Kia EV9 AWD GT-Line, Lexus RZ, Lucid Air, Nissan Ariya and Volkswagen ID.4.
In addition, Hyundai has also incorporated an indoor track in its stand where attendees can test ride Hyundai’s EV models.
Plans are already underway to further expand the track in 2025, which is even better news. Automakers are seeing the benefit in getting “butts in seats” and must continue to work cooperatively if they want consumers to get on board with considering EVs.
I’ve grown weary of telling my quick-to-complain press colleagues (who miss the days when the show’s media days featured more new vehicle reveals) that auto shows are not for them, they are for consumers. Attendance at this years NYIAS EV test track confirms that, and I’m glad.
Senior reporter Tanya Gazdik covers automotive, financial services, travel, sports, and pets for MediaPost's "Marketing Daily." She is the chief programmer for MediaPost's Marketing: Automotive conferences and is the lead juror for MediaPost's annual Marketing: Automotive awards. She previously was the deputy editor of MediaPost, animal welfare reporter at "The (Toledo) Blade," Detroit bureau chief of "Adweek" and associate editor at "Ward's Automotive Reports" and "Ward's AutoWorld."
Consumers aren't worried about the ride or the comfort of an EV - they're concerned about not being able to drive freely, a lack of charging stations, and having a 10 hour trip take 2 days because the average EV needs 8 hours to charge fully. I don't know anyone who owns an EV who doesn't have to rent a car when they want to take the family on a trip because they don't want to waste half their vacation looking for charging stations and then waiting 6+ hours to fill up the car. Whether the test track is 90,000 sq feet or 200,000 sq feet, it doesn't change the reality of the moment.
And those who do their research actually understand that EV's are worse for the enviornment than hybrids. All you are doing is swapping out carbon monoxide for thousands of pounds of toxic, difficult to mine, difficult to dispose, raw materials...and you're still getting most of your electricity to fill these batteries with fossil fuels that are powering these homes.
EVs in their current state are not a one size fits all and consumers understand that.