The surge in gas prices has increased interest in electric vehicles (EVs) due to increased interest from consumers, driven by rising costs at the pump. However, affordability remains a key barrier, as Morgan Stanley estimates that with gas at around $4 per gallon, it is roughly 60% cheaper to power an electric vehicle than a traditional gas-powered car. However it is predicted that it will take around six months for increased demand for hybrid and EV hybrid vehicles to occur. Elaine Buckberg, a senior fellow at Harvard's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability and a former chief economist at General Motors, suggests this shift could come much faster for people already in the market for cars who are more cost conscious about their fuel costs. In response, U.S. automakers have begun pulling back on their earlier investments in EV and hybrid vehicles due to softer-than-expected demand and ongoing challenges around EV infrastructure. The recent curtailing of rapid EV expansion in the United States is in stark contrast with countries like China and Europe where EV demand and political support are strong. However Buckberg warns that the absence of direct EV competition from China could undermine the development and adoption of EV technology.