Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) exceeded 10 million in 2023 according to reports, but infrastructure remains a recurring obstacle that hinders their progress even nowadays. Imagine having a car that uses less gasoline, emits no tailpipe emissions, and requires less maintenance, only to find that it is more difficult than anticipated to find a dependable charger outside of large cities. Many claim that “the future is electric,” but will everyone be able to access it? The path to widespread acceptance is still being built, with issues ranging from limited rural charging networks to pricing concerns. Industry experts provide their thoughts on the most important obstacles—as well as the doable actions required to overcome them—in this compilation.

Affordability Gap Hinders Widespread EV Adoption

The greatest barrier to mainstream EV adoption isn’t technology—it’s affordability. With 80-90% of households in middle to lower income brackets and most EVs priced above €40,000, we’ve created a ‘Green Divide’ where clean, cost-effective transportation remains a luxury. Until manufacturers prioritize truly affordable electric options and governments create effective financial pathways for average consumers, EVs will remain out of reach for most families—precisely the market segment needed for mainstream adoption.

Amy Cancryn, Founder, Nexis Neo

Charging Infrastructure Lags Behind EV Growth

As the founder of EVhype, I have closely witnessed how fast the electric vehicle (EV) adoption is trending. However, while electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, they face one huge barrier to becoming the go-to vehicle for everyday trips: the so-called charging infrastructure.

As of now, charging points are a major challenge. A recent study from the International Energy Agency found that despite more EVs than ever hitting the road, there are still significantly fewer public chargers than gas stations, and this disparity is especially pronounced in rural or underserved communities. In 2020, there were some 1.3 million electric vehicles in the United States, but only about 100,000 public charging stations, and many of these are clustered in cities. This discrepancy in available range makes long drives a no-go for many interested EV parties.

For EVs to have any chance of being the go-to choice for daily travel, we need a sturdy, countrywide network of chargers that we can count on to be quick and affordable. Investing in that infrastructure and improving charging technology (such as ultra-fast chargers) will help make owning an EV more convenient and encourage more people to adopt them. Otherwise, we will only realize the EV as a feasible choice for all, in all locations.

Rob Dillan, Founder, EVhype.com

Inadequate Charging Network Impedes EV Acceptance

Following the increasing use of electric vehicles in the market, I have concluded that the most significant barrier to the adoption of electric cars as a means of transport by consumers is the challenge of access to adequate charging spots. We have been able to come up with exciting expansions for the charging points; however, there are not enough, especially in rural and suburban zones. So, for you and me, anyone who drives their car to work or to buy groceries, range anxiety is still very much a reality. The consumer also does not want to be troubled by charging problems, whether they are traveling to the workplace, going on a business trip, or shopping.

It is also important to consider the time it takes for an EV to get charged regularly. While fast charging is much less time-consuming than getting a cup of coffee at the same gas station, it still takes approximately 20-30 minutes or more. In our fast and busy lives, that is a big shift. Until the charging network for batteries becomes as common and fast as refueling a gasoline car, the level of confidence for everyone will be uncertain. It is not only the increase in the number of stations that is in question; quality is also an important issue: that is, speed and the reliability of the system, as well as its compatibility with applications and means of payment.

As consumers, we are willing to transition into cleaner and smarter mobility, but we need to be supported by the right infrastructure. Still, I believe that each succeeding year will see increased investment and innovations to help us achieve this goal. But to make EVs our daily drivers, there is no bigger challenge than the charging problem we have to overcome.

Harkamaljeet Singh, CEO, Silver Taxi Melbourne

High Upfront Costs Deter Potential EV Buyers

Honestly, I think the biggest hurdle is the upfront cost. Even though EVs are cheaper to run long-term, the purchase price still puts many people off. For a lot of drivers, it’s hard to justify spending thousands more upfront, even if they’ll save on fuel and maintenance down the line.

That’s why we need more schemes to help bridge that affordability gap by letting people drive electric for much less, often with tax savings too. If more people had access to these kinds of options, I believe adoption would skyrocket.

James McNally, Managing Director, SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]

Unreliable Charging Creates Barrier for Drivers

From what I’ve seen, the single biggest challenge is charging infrastructure reliability—not just availability, but reliability.

It’s one thing to have chargers on the map. It’s another for them to actually work when you pull up with 10% battery left. Too often, chargers are broken, full, or painfully slow, and that kills trust. Until drivers feel as confident finding a fast, working charger as they do a gas station, EVs will feel risky for everyday travel.

Range anxiety gets all the headlines, but honestly, it’s charger anxiety that’s holding a lot of people back. Solving that—through better maintenance, faster charging, and universal access—is what will really tip EVs into being the obvious, mainstream choice.

Georgi Petrov, CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER

Home Charging Ease Contrasts Public Availability

My husband thoroughly enjoys his Tesla. During our recent remodeling of our home, he cleverly added a parking spot with an electric car charging unit. All such car owners know from day one that their ability to enjoy the car, on scheduled trips and emergencies, requires a charging station. The single biggest challenge they face is the availability of such stations when away from home. While apps welcome the identification of nearby stations, their functionality, availability, and relative speed of car charging are less guaranteed. These necessities need to be fulfilled before an all-electric vehicle has a chance to become mainstream for new car shoppers for everyday travel.

Ashley Kenny, Co-Founder, Heirloom Video Books

Limited Charging Networks Restrict EV Practicality

Underdeveloped charging infrastructure is a significant issue, and I don’t see that changing in the very near future. While EVs are growing in popularity, they’re still not super practical in suburban and rural areas due to a lack of reliable, fast-charging networks necessary to support widespread adoption. Unlike gas stations, which are everywhere, EV owners often struggle to find conveniently located chargers, leading to “range anxiety.” This remains a major barrier for potential buyers who are otherwise enthusiastic, myself included.

Dragos Badea, CEO, Yarooms

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We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below:

• What other ideas or perspectives would you add to the discussion?
• What are your thoughts or experiences on this topic?
• Have you encountered something similar or different?

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