Americans’ interest in electric cars dwindles as the firestorm around Tesla grows

• The number of people who plan to buy an EV is the lowest since 2019, a new AAA report finds. Cost and high repair costs were cited as the reasons. But the actions of Elon Musk and the pushback on Tesla could also be a factor.

There have never been more electric vehicle options for consumers — but demand for the gas-alternative cars and trucks hasn’t been this low since 2019.

A new report from AAA shows buyers are increasingly hesitant to buy EVs, with only 19% of the people surveyed saying they were “likely” or “very likely” to purchase one as their next car. The number who are adamantly against buying an EV was up, however. Some 63% of respondents said they were “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to buy an EV. That’s the highest number since 2022.

While buyers are still as interested as ever in saving money on gas (74% of the people said that would be their primary reason to buying an EV) and a notable 59% cited concern for the environment, AAA said high battery repair costs (62%) and high purchase prices (59%) were among the key barriers to going electric.

Not mentioned in the AAA report, but almost certainly a factor is the pushback that has emerged in the past year against Tesla, one of the largest EV brands – and more specifically, its CEO Elon Musk.

Musk’s political activities and antics (such was waving a chainsaw or making a gesture that many likened to a Nazi salute) have soured support from many consumers, which has resulted in a significant sales slump at Tesla. Last quarter, the company reported a 13% drop in vehicles sales and 71% drop in profits.

Musk, who was largely absent from Tesla during his time at the White House and running the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has recently resumed his executive duties at the automaker.

AAA notes that while interest is declining in electric vehicles, consumers may find interest in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which combine internal combustion with electric power.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com