Consumer interest for EVs exists but they are still too expensive

Electric vehicles (EVs) may not replace their gas-powered counterparts any time soon, but they are certainly fueling sales. The Los Angeles Times reports that there is definitely consumer interest in EVs, but many drivers who come in to check out the new cars, such as the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf, often find out that they cannot afford them and choose different vehicles.

"There is such a halo effect," Oliver Hazimeh, an automotive industry consultant at PwC's PRTM Management Consulting, told the news source. "These cars appeal to the cool tech-savvy consumer segment."

Green vehicles tend to cost more than traditional options, but their initial cost is offset by the fact that drivers will be spending less at the pump. The Chevy Volt, for example, starts at nearly $32,000 while its gas engine equivalent, the Cruze, has a starting price of about $16,700.

Drivers who want to save up for an EV or a hybrid vehicle for their next car can use car warranties to pay for any maintenance and repairs on their current rides.