The question in the survey is whether they "would cover
a hypothetical $400 emergency expense exclusively using cash or its equivalent".
Got $10k in highly liquid stocks and you'd sell some? Or you have plenty of money in your savings account but you use credit cards for all purchases? Then you get counted as "can't come up with $400".
It's useful to look at how the number changes over time, but trying to interpret the raw percentage is prone to misstep.
I don't have much want or need of an EV, but I was able to bring 240V power into my detached garage and install a 100A subpanel myself. It was all legal, I got a permit to do it from L&I and had it inspected and signed off on. Most states and local jurisdictions allow homeowners to do electrical work on their residences, assuming they go through the same permitting and inspection process as the pros.
I encourage anybody with the time and diligence to do their own residential electrical work. It can save you a lot of money, and add a lot of value to your home.
