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Ford study reveals 4 out of 10 Americans believe EVs are powered by gasoline

A Ford F-150 EV prototype. (Credit: Ford Motor Company)

Published

6 years ago

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A study conducted by Ford has revealed that car buyers still have much to learn about the nature and advantages of all-electric cars. Based on the results of Ford’s study, there is still a lot of misinformation surrounding EVs as a whole. This is prominent in the US, where 42% of Americans stated that they believe electric cars still need to be filled up with gasoline to run. 

The rather disconcerting results of the study, which involved respondents from the United States, Europe, and China, were shared on Medium by Ford Motor Company Global Director for Electrification Ted Cannis. According to the executive, there remains a gap between “what an electric vehicle can do and what customers believe they can do” among car buyers. This gap covers several areas, from the performance of EVs to the vehicles’ general ownership experience. 

More than 90% of individuals polled by Ford, for one, stated that they don’t believe quick acceleration and a great driving experience is a benefit of electric cars. This is unfortunate, considering that premium electric cars such as the Porsche Taycan are quite literally built to be driven hard for extended periods of time, while vehicles like the Model 3 Performance routinely crush driver’s cars such as the BMW M3 on the track. 

Around 67% of Americans and 68% of Europeans also believe that EVs are not capable for towing and hauling tasks. These findings are noteworthy for Ford, considering that the company previously demoed its F-150 EV prototype towing over 1 million pounds of cargo. Furthermore, almost 80% of Americans stated that they would not pick an EV because of extreme weather. Nearly 65% who are in the market for an AWD vehicle will not consider an electric car as well. 

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Yet, perhaps the starkest reminder of the information gap between mainstream car buyers and EVs lie in the fact that 42% of Americans among Ford’s respondents believe that electric cars are still powered by gasoline. There could be several reasons behind this misconception, one of which could be due to hybrids and plug-in hybrids, cars that are still equipped with an internal combustion engine, being dubbed as “electrified” vehicles.  

Cannis stated that another possible reason for this misconception lies in the habits of consumers, as even owners of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles still take regular trips to the gas station. Thus, the concept of “filling up” a car at home by plugging it in like a regular electronic device could seem unnatural to some consumers. The Ford executive added that this misconception is unfortunate, since surveys of all-electric car owners have revealed that 80% of an EV’s charging is done at home and at the workplace. 

The Ford executive’s statements about the misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles are accurate. Tesla, despite producing electric vehicles for over a decade, deals with such misinformation consistently, as the company and its vehicles are still frequently misunderstood. The Tesla Model S Performance and the Model 3 Performance are very quick sedans, for example, but it won’t be difficult to find a driver who believes that the vehicles are just slow, “glorified golf carts.” Overall, Ford’s efforts at understanding the market’s pulse about EVs is admirable, and the findings of the study will hopefully guide the company in its strategy to roll out battery-electric vehicles like the F-150 EV in the near future.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk

Tesla Full Self-Driving set to get an awesome new feature, Elon Musk says

Published

10 hours ago

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February 21, 2026

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Credit: Teslarati

Tesla Full Self-Driving is set to get an awesome new feature in the near future, CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X.

Full Self-Driving is the company’s semi-autonomous driving program, which is among the best available to the general public. It still relies on the driver to ultimately remain in control and pay attention, but it truly does make traveling less stressful and easier.

However, Tesla still continuously refines the software through Over-the-Air updates, which are meant to resolve shortcomings in the performance of the FSD suite. Generally, Tesla does a great job of this, but some updates are definitely regressions, at least with some of the features.

Tesla Cybertruck owner credits FSD for saving life after freeway medical emergency

Tesla and Musk are always trying to improve the suite’s performance by fixing features that are presently available, but they also try to add new things that would be beneficial to owners. One of those things, which is coming soon, is giving the driver the ability to prompt FSD with voice demands.

For example, asking the car to park close to the front door of your destination, or further away in an empty portion of the parking lot, would be an extremely beneficial feature. Adjusting navigation is possible through Grok integration, but it is not always effective.

Musk confirmed that voice prompts for FSD would be possible:

Tesla Full Self-Driving is a really great thing, but it definitely has its shortcomings. Navigation is among the biggest complaints that owners have, and it is easily my biggest frustration with using it. Some of the routes it chooses to take are truly mind-boggling.

Another thing it has had issues with is being situated in the correct lane at confusing intersections or even managing to properly navigate through local traffic signs. For example, in Pennsylvania, there are a lot of stop signs with “Except Right Turn” signs directly under.

This gives those turning right at a stop sign the opportunity to travel through it. FSD has had issues with this on several occasions.

Parking preferences would be highly beneficial and something that could be resolved with this voice prompt program. Grocery stores are full of carts not taken back by customers, and many people choose to park far away. Advising FSD of this preference would be a great advantage to owners.

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Cybertruck

Elon Musk clarifies Tesla Cybertruck ’10 day’ comment, fans respond

Some are arguing that the decision to confirm a price hike in ten days is sort of counterproductive, especially considering it is based on demand. Giving consumers a timeline of just ten days to make a big purchase like a pickup truck for $60,000, and basically stating the price will go up, will only push people to make a reservation.

Published

12 hours ago

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February 21, 2026

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has clarified what he meant by his comment on X yesterday that seemed to indicate that Tesla would either do away with the new All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck or adjust the price.

The response was cryptic as nobody truly knew what Musk’s plans were for the newest Tesla Cybertruck trim level. We now have that answer, and fans of the company are responding in a polarizing fashion.

On Thursday night, Tesla launched the Cybertruck All-Wheel-Drive, priced competitively at $59,990. It was a vast improvement from the Rear-Wheel-Drive configuration Tesla launched last year at a similar price point, which was eventually cancelled just a few months later due to low demand.

Tesla launches new Cybertruck trim with more features than ever for a low price

However, Musk said early on Friday, “just for 10 days,” the truck would either be available or priced at $59,990. We can now confirm Tesla will adjust the price based on more recent comments from the CEO.

Musk said the price will fluctuate, but it “depends on how much demand we see at this price level.”

Some are defending the decision, stating that it is simply logical to see how the Cybertruck sells at this price and adjust accordingly.

Others, not so much.

Some are arguing that the decision to confirm a price hike in ten days is sort of counterproductive, especially considering it is based on demand. Giving consumers a timeline of just ten days to make a big purchase like a pickup truck for $60,000, and basically stating the price will go up, will only push people to make a reservation.

Demand will look strong because people want to lock in this price. The price will inevitably go up, and demand for the trim will likely fall a bit because of the increased cost.

Many are arguing Musk should have kept this detail internal, but transparency is a good policy to have. It is a polarizing move to confirm a price increase in just a week-and-a-half, but the community is obviously split on how to feel.

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Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim will undergo massive change in ten days, Musk says

It appears as if the new All-Wheel-Drive trim of Cybertruck won’t be around for too long, however. Elon Musk revealed this morning that it will be around “only for the next 10 days.”

Published

2 days ago

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February 20, 2026

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla’s new Cybertruck trim has already gotten the axe from CEO Elon Musk, who said the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the all-electric pickup will only be available “for the next ten days.”

Musk could mean the price, which is $59,990, or the availability of the trim altogether.

Last night, Tesla launched the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck, a pickup that comes in at less than $60,000 and features a competitive range and features that are not far off from the offerings of the premium trim.

Tesla launches new Cybertruck trim with more features than ever for a low price

It was a nice surprise from Tesla, considering that last year, it offered a Rear-Wheel-Drive trim of the Cybertruck that only lasted a few months. It had extremely underwhelming demand because it was only $10,000 cheaper than the next trim level up, and it was missing a significant number of premium features.

Simply put, it was not worth the money. Tesla killed the RWD Cybertruck just a few months after offering it.

With the news that Tesla was offering this All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck, many fans and consumers were encouraged. The Cybertruck has been an underwhelming seller, and this seemed to be a lot of truck for the price when looking at its features:

  • Dual Motor AWD w/ est. 325 mi of range
  • Powered tonneau cover
  • Bed outlets (2x 120V + 1x 240V) & Powershare capability
  • Coil springs w/ adaptive damping
  • Heated first-row seats w/ textile material that is easy to clean
  • Steer-by-wire & Four Wheel Steering
  • 6’ x 4’ composite bed
  • Towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs
  • Powered frunk

It appears as if this trim of Cybertruck won’t be around for too long, however. Musk revealed this morning that it will be around “only for the next 10 days.”

Musk could mean the price of the truck and not necessarily the ability to order it. However, most are taking it as a cancellation.

If it is, in fact, a short-term availability decision, it is baffling, especially as Tesla fans and analysts claim that metrics like quarterly deliveries are no longer important. This seems like a way to boost sales short-term, and if so many people are encouraged about this offering, why would it be kept around for such a short period of time?

Some are even considering the potential that Tesla axes the Cybertruck program as a whole. Although Musk said during the recent Q4 Earnings Call that Cybertruck would still be produced, the end of the Model S and Model X programs indicates Tesla might be prepared to do away with any low-volume vehicles that do not contribute to the company’s future visions of autonomy.

The decision to axe the car just ten days after making it available seems like a true head-scratcher.

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