'Battery life, range and safety are key for EV consumers in US,' says survey

by John Shepherd
CEO Siyu Huang: 'Consumers want greater range, safety standards and reduced costs'. Photos: Factorial / Rathaphon Nanthapreecha, Pexels
Better battery life, range and safety are the key issues US consumers believe car manufacturers should address to expand sales of electric vehicles, according to latest public opinion research.

In addition, a majority of consumers (51%) would be even more likely to purchase an EV if it were equipped with solid-state battery technology, the survey indicated.

According to the survey* – by Massachusetts-based solid-state battery developer Factorial Energy and The Harris Poll – 48% of Americans are open to owning an EV today, compared with 37% in April.

However, the survey indicated consumers rate improvements in battery life and range (88%), additional charging stations (86%) and higher safety standards (86%) as "the top factors they believe automakers must address” to make EVs successful.

'40 Ah benchmark'

Factorial Energy CEO, Siyu Huang, said the survey "demonstrates that the number of consumers open to transitioning from fossil-fuel-powered cars to electric vehicles continues to grow”.

"But they will only make the switch if automakers can improve key performance features that affect their daily lives. Consumers want the greater range, safety standards and reduced costs that can be achieved by utilising next-generation solid-state battery technology, and we’re proud to be the first to reach the 40 ampere-hour (Ah) benchmark for a solid-state cell.”

World Battery News reported last April that Factorial had emerged from "stealth mode” – to introduce a 40 Ah solid-state battery cell for electric vehicles and other applications such as stationary storage.

The company’s "breakthrough” Factorial Electrolyte System Technology (FEST) is a proprietary, solid electrolyte material, which enables safe and reliable cell performance with high-voltage and high-energy density electrodes.

*The Harris Poll survey was conducted from 15 to 19 July, among a nationally-representative sample of 2020 American adults.

Related article in our archive:

Factorial Energy emerges from 'stealth mode' to unveil 'first 40 Ah solid-state cell for EVs'