Must Read: Sorry, but bringing back the Start menu won't help Windows 8

Topic: Emerging Tech

Where are people likely to buy 'green vehicles'? Here's a breakdown

Summary: As you might expect, California shows up high on the list of states where purchases of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are especially likely. But so does oil-dependent Texas.

Heather Clancy

By for GreenTech Pastures |

And the recognition for regional demographics and economic conditions most likely to inspire a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle purchase goes to ... Pennsylvania!

Yep, you read that correctly. There's some new data out from Pike Research about the metropolitan regions that are most likely to adopt alternative or "green" transportation, and the Pennsylvania cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton are high on the list.

Among the factors considered in the analysis were population, age, gender, household income, race and household size.

Based on that criteria, Pike figures that sales of plug-in electric vehicles in the largest 102 cities in the United States will total 1.8 million from 2012 to 2020. 

The report breaks things down on a regional basis. As already mentioned, the Pennsylvania region mentioned above factors largely, as does the San Jose metropolitan area in California, the Worchester metro area in Massachusetts, and several cities in Colorado, including Denver, Aurora, Broomfield and Colorado Springs.

If you look at individual cities that look especially promising for adoption, here are the top five: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland. More than one-quarter of all the plug-in electric vehicle sales over the eight-year period considered are expected to come from that area, according to Pike's "Electric Vehicle Geographic Forecasts" analysis.

The state that jumped up most on the Pike ranking was Texas, which has supported a dramatic expansion in electric vehicle charging infrastructure over the past 12 months. It jumped up to No. 4 on the state ranking, compared with its position at No. 42 in 2010.

(Photo of Focus Electric courtesy of Ford Motor Co.)

Topic: Emerging Tech

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

18 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • In the current political climate...

    ...I expect the how one's car is powered to be taken as yet another indication of one's political preferences. This is actually a problem.
    John L. Ries
    Reply 1 Vote

    • It is already that way

      I don't ever remember seeing a Prius with a Republican bumper sticker, but have seen many with Democrat stickers on the back. Turn that around: How many Obama stickers have you seen on 6000 lb SUVs?
      itpro_z
      Reply Vote

      • It's already that way on fuel efficency

        The widespread use of electric cars would likely show a continuation in this trend. I can easily see a Republican being accused of party disloyalty or even worse, liberalism for buying an electric car (thus betraying a key Republican constituency). They're still too expensive, however, for Democrats to be accused of antienvironmentalism if they still buy gas-powered vehicles.
        John L. Ries
        Reply Vote

        • I do have this idea...

          ...of writing a satirical ad for a fictional political reliability bureau (kind of like a credit bureau, only worse). One of the things that would certainly be employed would be the vehicles one owns (or whether one owns one at all); but other buying habits could also be used as evidence (one might even get politically reliable retailers to sell consumer data to a bureau of the proper persuasion).
          John L. Ries
          Reply Vote

        • environment

          "They're still too expensive, however, for Democrats to be accused of antienvironmentalism if they still buy gas-powered vehicles."

          You can still be environmentally responsible and drive a gas vehicle. Little things like living closer to work and buying the 4cyl Camry instead of the 6cyl can make a big difference.
          Jeff Krogue
          Reply 1 Vote

  • The only green is our tax dollars subsidizing their car via tax credit.

    More like a big pile of brown.
    everss02
    Reply 1 Vote

  • I will never buy an EV

    But with the help of Government Subsidies i get to buy one for someone else! thanks Mr. President!
    ammohunt
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Be careful what you promise

      Is this a moral issue, or is there another reason why you would never consider buying an EV?
      John L. Ries
      Reply Vote

      • Because there is no such thing as a "Zero Emission" vehicle

        the majority of our electricity is generated burning coal. So you're really trading one pollution for another. To date EVs are not optimal for cold climates, they take forever to get up to speed, and they cost too much, with lower ROI. Have higher maintenance ($10,000 for a battery pack?). Would you buy a vehicle (used, with no warranty) only to have to replace the battery pack a month later?
        Troll Hunter J
        Reply 1 Vote

        • He said "never"

          It looks like you might consider one if the performance went up and the price went down.
          John L. Ries
          Reply Vote

        • coal

          Because of the new abundance of natural gas in the US coal is starting to take a back seat. Its a win win, cheaper electricity and cleaner air.
          Jeff Krogue
          Reply Vote

    • SUV tax credit

      So I guess you forgot about the huge tax credit "scam" for 6000 pound or higher vehicles during the Bush administration.

      http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Hybrid/story?id=97505
      calfee20
      Reply 1 Vote

  • I'm anti the socialist Obama, not anti EV!

    I'd be all over an EV with an honest, reliable 100 mile range (with A/C!), but until then I'm happy with the ~40MPG I get with my Honda Civic hybrid.

    I have an 80 mile/day commute, mostly freeway and I don't drive 55! I get the performance of the "big" engine Civic with about 10% better MPG than the "small" engine Civic. Works for me, but would be a poor choice for mostly driving city streets, or mostly driving during the hottest parts of the day as they skimped on the A/C to save power.
    wally_333
    Reply 2 Votes

    • 100+ Miles with the AC ON...

      So, you need a real EV that goes, really, really goes 100+ miles with the AC on. Check this out.

      http://seekingalpha.com/article/1122181-has-tesla-solved-the-road-trip-problem
      z2217
      Reply Vote

      • Well...

        The article infers the problem is pretty much alleviated if you have SuperCharger stations when you need them and $80K+ to buy the car.
        Bill4
        Reply Vote

  • You gotta move closer to work man

    I spent all of $8000 on a nice used Altima with a powerful V6 , leather and lots of room.

    I probably get gas twice a month, that's with driving home for lunch everyday.
    everss02
    Reply Vote

    • I spent all of $8000 on a nice used...

      All things considered, this is the most unused statement in the whole debate.
      To manufacture any new vehicle is very destructive to the environment.
      These Hybrid and Electric cars are for the rich. They are a status symbol for the sycophant class nothing more.
      Education and the toning down of the ego and greed culture would allow a lot more people to embrace the three R's as the new social norm.
      In closing, working with the corporations, the advertisers and spin doctors have us by the short and curlies.
      Go out and support your local tradesmen, learn how to fix basic problems on your own, put independent business men first, instead of the high rollin' jet set guys that are the 1%.
      Ahura Madza
      Reply Vote

  • Much more interesting would be per capita rates

    CA and TX leading the way? Sure. Look at their population. Ditto LA, NYC, etc...

    Show us the stats based on cars per person then we'll get an idea of who is buying them and why.
    raleighthings
    Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close