American muscle vs. electric motor: Minnesotans weigh in on growing number of drivers shifting toward EVs

Would you go electric?

That’s the question Consumer Reports asked in its most recent survey released this week, showing more than one-third of U.S. drivers would choose an electric vehicle.

According to the study of 8,027 adults, research revealed that 36 percent of drivers plan to buy or lease an electric-only vehicle or are seriously considering doing so. Compared to a similar study Consumer Reports filed two years ago, that’s a four-percent increase.

Experts at Cox Automotive, an information and services company, say it is not a surprise with gas prices at record highs and EV sales making a massive 73-percent jump in the first quarter of 2022.

But, not everyone is impressed with the progress of electric vehicles.

“I’m not too fond of them, to be honest with you,” Craig Ralston, a car enthusiast explained to reporter, Andrea Lyon.

Ralston and hundreds of others gathered at Jimmy’s Food & Drink Sunday for its 16th annual American Muscle and Street Rod Car Show in Vadnais Heights. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS joined in to see what some Minnesotans thought about the emerging technology.

“Not me,” Bubba Aguirre, said standing next to his ’66 Chevrolet SS.

At a hot-rod show, we expected as much, but the survey shows these men are not alone. While there is a growing number of drivers shifting toward electric vehicles, still a majority of Americans are choosing to keep it classic with their gas-fueled motors.

Consumer Reports does list a number of potential barriers for buyers. Sixty-one percent of people questioned were either concerned about the limited options for public charging stations or the number of miles the vehicle can travel before needing to be charged. Fifty-two percent expressed worry about the costs of purchasing and maintaining an EV.

At the same car show, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS also asked a mother and daughter, if they were in the market, would they choose a regular vehicle or an electric motor; their answers caught the two by surprise.

Within seconds Rhonda Schotz and her daughter, Stacey Thurmer, answered at the same time. Schotz immediately said no, while her daughter didn’t hesitate, responding with a yes saying she would go electric.

We let them talk it out.

“I don’t want to get stuck in the middle of the night somewhere, where there’s no plug-in,” Schotz said looking at her daughter.

“But you can put gas in there too,” Thurmer said, referring to Hybrid vehicles.

“It must just be my generation,” Schotz said, ending the banter as the pair stopped debating their decision.

Schotz was right on the money.

According to Consumer Reports, one of the main difference-makers when it came to who chose electric and who didn’t was age. Young drivers leaned in towards electric options, while older generations seem to shy away.

And despite the ever-evolving technological advancements and the fact that EVs can now outperform classic American muscles in speed, for many of the car enthusiasts at Jimmy’s car show, it didn’t matter.

For them, it’s more about the memories.

“This is what I grew up with,” Ralston said.