Who is responsible for EV education?

Doh! New research from market research firm Synovate suggests that the majority of consumers do not understand the difference between hybrid, plug-in hybrid, range extended and pure electric cars.  As Stephen Popiel, senior vice president of Synovate Motoresearch, says, "This low level of understanding about the way in which electric powertrain vehicles work will have profound consequences for vehicle sales. In the short term, dealers will have to spend an inordinate amount of time explaining the workings of PHEVs and BEVs to interested buyers. We have to wonder if consumers will become disillusioned when they understand the actual requirements of electric vehicles. Will the person who goes to their Chevy dealer to buy a Volt, or their Nissan dealer to buy a Leaf, still buy the vehicle once they discover the need for plugs and 220 volt outlets? And, if they become discouraged with the electric option, will they stay and buy a different Chevy or Nissan vehicle? Or simply leave in confusion?" The bigger question is, "Whose job is it to educate consumers about these powertrains?" First mover advantage can bring glory but also the need to educate consumers. Is it in the best interest of Nissan to educate the market about electric vehicles? Or is it the role of government, given the strategic importance of electric vehicles to the economies of the future? And, of course, consumers need to understand what electric vehicles will mean to their driving behaviours and vehicle maintenance habits. Long-term success of the electrification of the fleet will only come about with a better-educated consumer.