Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief
Volta Inc. (NYSE: VLTA) has announced the findings of its second annual Climate Conscious Consumer study, which tracks how our climate influences consumer spending, what environmentally-conscious consumers desire from advertisers, and how drivers are thinking about EVs. The study is based on responses from 997 Americans representative of the U.S. adult population gathered in September 2022 by F’inn, a leading independent research firm.
This year’s findings reveal that the adoption curve around climate consciousness has officially crossed into the late majority, with 55% of Americans identifying with this attitude — a 15% increase from 2021. This consumer cohort is also increasingly diverse and inclusive as it expands. Being a Climate Conscious Consumer is no longer associated with only coastal states — this mindset is prevalent across the U.S. with notable year-over-year increases in Texas, Kentucky, and Michigan.
Understanding this rapidly growing and evolving consumer group is imperative for brands seeking to remain relevant and sell products and services. Volta’s study revealed Climate Conscious Consumers’ key commerce preferences, providing advertisers with important insights that should be used to shape future marketing strategies, including:
- Climate Conscious Consumers are more tech-savvy: Over 70% subscribe to a streaming TV service compared to 60% of Non-Climate Conscious Consumers; more than 30% use QR codes compared to 25% of Non-Climate Conscious Consumers;
- This cohort expects targeted, personalized campaigns: Nearly two-thirds prefer ads that are relevant to their needs compared to less than half of Non-Climate Conscious Consumers; and
- Value and price remain important to purchase decisions: Nearly 60% of Climate Conscious Consumers are looking for more sales and deals.
Volta provides advertisers the optimal media platform for authentically reaching the 55% of the U.S. adult population that identify as Climate Conscious Consumers. The company’s EV chargers feature large digital displays — known as the Volta Media™ Network — and combine performance-driving advertising capabilities with true environmental impact. Volta’s chargers and media screens are located directly in front of popular retailers and commercial centers that millions of consumers visit daily, allowing marketers to reach audiences as they finalize their shopping lists before entering a store. To further personalize campaigns, the Volta Media Network offers a robust suite of advertising capabilities, including digital-direct offerings like audience targeting, mobile retargeting, and QR code activations, and dynamic creative options, including real-time weather triggers, countdown clocks, and 3D creative.
To date, Volta has provided more than 150 million emission-free miles and avoided over 35,000 tons of CO2 emissions that would have otherwise been created by gas-powered vehicles — and Volta’s U.S. charging network is backed by renewable energy. Volta purchases verified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) equivalent to the amount of electricity used to power its charging network, giving partners and consumers confidence they are supporting a clean transportation and energy future for all.
“The continued expansion of the Climate Conscious Consumer cohort demands that brands intentionally design campaigns geared toward this audience — from the messaging advertisers craft to the media they buy,” said Brandt Hastings, Chief Commercial Officer at Volta. “By fusing high-impact digital screens with EV charging, the Volta Media Network offers our advertising partners the ability to authentically reach Climate Conscious Consumers while they shop on a media platform that equally drives measurable outcomes and a more sustainable planet. We invite brands to grow with us as we continue building the future of advertising and transportation.”
Volta’s 2022 Climate Conscious Consumer study also examined EV adoption trends, revealing critical insights about where EV charging infrastructure must be deployed to facilitate the next wave of EV ownership. Notably, EV intenders — those who stated they plan to buy an EV in the next 12 months — are:
- Urban residents in both blue and red states: 20% of people who live in urban areas within Democratic-leaning states are EV intenders, compared to only 9% in non-urban areas in these states; 12% of people who reside in urban areas in Republican-leaning states are EV intenders, compared to 7% in non-urban areas in these states;
- Limited access to at-home charging: More than half of EV intenders are renters or live in something other than a single family home, compared to only 43% of current EV owners; and
- Lower incomes than early EV adopters: Close to 60% of EV intenders have household incomes less than $75,000, compared to just 31% of current EV owners in this earnings bracket.
These findings point to the importance of public, accessible EV charging infrastructure in more densely populated communities. Recently, Volta partnered with the City of Hoboken to integrate critical EV charging infrastructure directly onto city streets in a way that maximizes economic, health, and climate benefits. The digital screens featured on Volta’s EV chargers can generate media revenue immediately upon installation, allowing the company to install EV infrastructure at little to no cost to a city, ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer funds, and build in areas ahead of high EV adoption. Further, it unlocks the ability for Volta and partners like Hoboken to subsidize the cost of charging sessions for drivers where suitable, delivering safe and affordable charging near the front doors of commercial properties and retail locations.
In support of the federal government’s Justice40 goal — which seeks to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities — Volta launched its Charging For All initiative, the company’s commitment to delivering affordable, reliable, and equitable charging across the United States. Most recently, the company announced its latest extension of Charging For All — Volta’s infrastructure planning platform, PredictEV®, now offers an upgraded capability to provide state and local governments with critical, data-driven insight to effectively deploy EV charging at optimal locations within disadvantaged communities, in direct alignment with Justice40 goals.
“The Climate Conscious Consumer study further highlights the strength of Volta’s dual EV charging and media model. Volta’s conveniently located public charging makes EV ownership a reality for urbanites, while our media network enables EV charging build-out in areas ahead of mainstream adoption,” said Vince Cubbage, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Volta. “The health and safety of our planet demands that every community has access to the benefits of equitable EV adoption, and we look forward to continuing forming multiple private and public partnerships to supercharge the next phrase of electric mobility.”
To learn more about advertising on the Volta Media Network, click here. To learn more about the benefits of Volta’s model for cities and municipalities, click here.
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