Why US Inequality Makes EVs, Solar, & Heat Pumps Fragile - CleanTechnica

The article highlights how growing economic inequality in the United States is creating fragility in the adoption of clean technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), residential solar panels, and heat pumps. It notes that the top 10% of American households now account for roughly half of all consumer spending, skewing economic data toward the behavior of affluent consumers rather than reflecting the broader population. This concentration of wealth and spending power means that while wealthy households can afford to invest in new cars, solar arrays, and high-efficiency HVAC systems without concern for payback periods, the majority of Americans face financial constraints that delay or prevent such purchases. Specifically, the article points out that the average price of new EVs significantly exceeds the median household income, effectively locking out most middle-income buyers despite federal tax credits that are limited by income and vehicle price caps. Similarly, residential solar adoption is concentrated among higher-income homeowners who can leverage tax credits and have access to credit, while renters and low-income households are largely excluded.