South Middlesex Times

As early adopters of electric vehicles (EVs) trade up for the latest models, the used EV market is beginning to mature in the United States. A study conducted at Rutgers University–New Brunswick sheds light on the challenges facing the market, particularly for low-income drivers.

Wei San Loh, a former graduate student of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers–New Brunswick, emphasized the disparity in the market, stating, “While the transition to electric vehicles is an important piece of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, the market for used electric vehicles in the U.S. remains dominated by wealthy households.”

The study, published in the journal Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, conducted by Loh and Robert B. Noland, director of the Rutgers Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, revealed that concerns such as price, charging availability, and battery performance are key factors influencing buyers when considering the purchase of a used electric vehicle.

Noland highlighted the limited demand for EVs among lower-income households, stating, “Taken together, these findings suggest that EV demand may still not be widespread for lower-income households in the U.S.” To address this issue, Loh suggested policy changes to promote greater used EV uptake across income groups, such as increasing the availability of charging stations and expanding subsidies for used vehicle purchases.

In emphasizing the need for innovative solutions, Loh stated, “Buyers will always compare EVs to combustion engines. That’s why we need to think creatively about making it more attractive for people from different income brackets to consider the used EV option.”