Americans Want Cheap Chinese EVs—But They Still Can’t Buy Them

Nearly half of American car buyers think Chinese electric vehicles offer strong value. Two in five even want them in the US. But thanks to tariffs north of 100%, they remain completely out of reach. The average new car in the US now costs close to $50,000, and for buyers who want an electric vehicle, the options thin out fast at the affordable end. That frustration is quietly pushing a surprising number of Americans toward a category of cars they have never been able to buy. A Cox Automotive survey of 802 prospective car buyers found that 49% rated Chinese vehicles as offering very good or excellent value, and 40% said they support the idea of Chinese auto brands entering the US market. If all these people are signaling that the current …