Macho Men Won't Buy EVs As It Makes Them Look Weak

There are many reasons why peopledon't want to make the switchto electric vehicles (EVs). The most common one isrange anxiety, while driving feel is another. But a new study suggests that masculinity could also play a part.

The study conducted by Dr. Michael Parent, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin (UT), revealed that 'macho' men believe that buying an EV will harm their masculine image. Conversely, gasoline-powered vehicles make them feel manly. These are no doubt the same guys that get a kick out ofblocking Tesla Supercharger spotswith their trucks.

Whether this hurts the climate change fight is hard to say. Speaking to theDaily Mail, Dr. Parent said: "It wouldn't be a main driver of climate change, but it is one more, preventable, thing that adds to the pile of issues related to climate."

Dr. Parent worked with 400 men living in the US for his research. When asked to choose gas/diesel, hybrid, or electric cars, 40% ranked EVs as the worst option. Many of these participants are said to hold the most traditional 'masculine' views.

"Consumer good purchase decisions are made, to a degree, with consideration toward how those purchases reflect personal identities," Dr Parent claims.

"EVs may be appealing to men in terms of their fast acceleration and appeal as a technological innovation. However, among men, endorsement of masculinity contingency was linked to a lowered preference for EVs."

Psychologist Louise Goddard-Crawley claims loud engines and potent performance are often associated with masculinity. "From an evolutionary perspective, throughout human evolution, traits associated with masculinity, such as physical strength and dominance, were advantageous for survival and reproduction," she told the publication.