auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

What EV Consumers Want

When it comes to the shopping experience, study shows they gravitate to nontraditional features, services.

June 17, 2024
What EV Consumers Want

EV-leaning consumers' nontraditional preferences include prescheduled test drives, online financing and even virtual-reality showrooms.

Credit:

Pexels/Brett Sayles

1 min to read


Electric-vehicle buyers want a more personalized auto shopping experience, according to a new study that gauged transportation trends.

The McKinsey & Co. Future of Auto Retail Consumer Survey found shoppers leaning toward an EV purchase put a premium on personalization than do other car shoppers.

It says those consumers want few, preselected choices with the flexibility to change their minds before delivery; a simpler, more convenient process; and transparency on price. Their preferences within those parameters include prescheduled test drives and online financing.

“OEMs that want to create an innovative and desirable brand impression could consider heeding these preferences as electrification accelerates,” according to the report, which points out that the nontraditional shopping lists reflect the value EV shoppers place on innovation.

Compared to traditional auto shoppers, the study also found they want on-demand features; direct-to-consumer sales; simple, all-digital contracts; and even virtual-reality showrooms.

LEARN MORE: EV Tax Savings Tabulated

More Industry

Auto Dealer today, Dealer Debrief, 05/01/2026 with Lauren Lawrence
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 1, 2026

Dealer Debrief: New & Used Sales Trends

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers new and used vehicle sales trends from March.

Read More →
white Chevrolet Equinox being temperature tested
Fixed Opsby Lauren LawrenceMay 1, 2026

Extreme Temps Hinder EV Efficiency

American consumers might be happy to know that their preferred hybrids are slightly less impacted by extreme temperatures than fully electric vehicles, according to a new study.

Read More →
Photo of woman at desk using a calculator
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 1, 2026

A Tale of Haves and Have-Nots

A growing number of consumers are stretching the bounds of auto finance to afford today’s expensive vehicles, ultimately paying a higher price for the now-common scenarios.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Headshot of Michael Orange
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 24, 2026

Stellantis Names U.S. Sales Head

The former Hyundai and Nissan executive is tasked with increased momentum in the important market as the automaker shifts its strategy amid a turnaround.

Read More →
family in a car, Affordability Out the Window, Auto Dealer Today
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 24, 2026

Bad Credit Tanks Attainability

A recent study suggests expectant parents are feeling the burden of bad credit more than other demographics when it comes to buying a new car.

Read More →
Dealer Debrief, 04/23/2026, with Lauren Lawrence, Auto Dealer Today
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 23, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Ford HQ and Mercedes Studios

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers Ford HQ renovations, new Mercedes studios, and the state of auto loans in March.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dealer Debrief 04/15/2026 with Lauren Lawrence
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 17, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Exploding Airbags & Risk Management

In this week's Dealer Debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a potential air bag ban and reinsurance and risk management.

Read More →
Sue Bai and Brian Bautsch standing on a road
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 17, 2026

Pilot Program Meant to Improve Roadway Safety

Honda and the Ohio Department of Transportation achieved highly accurate results with their pilot project the Honda Proactive Roadway Maintenance System that concluded this year.

Read More →
Line graphic showing Cox Automotive's March Credit Availability Index status
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Auto Lending Opens Up in March

Lenders loosened access for subprime borrowers, and consumers with negative equity reached a record high, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of the facade of one of Mercedes' new city studios, with a vehicle displayed in the window
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Mercedes Opens ‘Studios’ in Select Cities

The shops help mark the automaker’s beginnings 140 years ago and are to designed to offer major urban center consumers ‘exclusive’ experiences.

Read More →