Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly transforming the automotive industry, but questions remain about how widely they’re being adopted and the challenges potential buyers face. Concerns like affordability, trust in EV brands, and charging infrastructure availability all influence adoption rates.
This article examines the state of EV adoption across the U.S., focusing on growth trends, regional and generational differences in EV ownership, and the barriers preventing wider adoption. Our data provides a snapshot of the factors shaping EV ownership and what the future could hold for this evolving market.
Key Takeaways
- EV registrations in the U.S. grew by nearly 250% between 2020 and 2023, with Texas experiencing a 341% increase.
- California, Florida, and Texas have the highest total EV registrations in the U.S.
- 1 in 5 Americans cites a lack of trust in EV brands as a major obstacle to ownership.
- 71% of non-EV owners would be more likely to purchase an electric vehicle if charging stations were as common as gas stations.
- On average, Americans believe an annual income of $82,991 is needed to comfortably afford an EV.
- While 44% of Americans trust Tesla the most among EV brands, 38% reveal they trust Tesla the least and would never consider purchasing one.
EV Growth Across the U.S.
Electric vehicle adoption has surged across the United States in recent years, with some states leading the way in total registrations and growth rates. This section highlights key trends in EV adoption, examining which states have seen the largest increases in registrations and those with the highest total and per capita adoption rates.
EV registrations in the U.S. increased by nearly 250% between 2020 and 2023, reflecting a nationwide push toward cleaner transportation. Texas saw a remarkable 341% growth in EV registrations during the same period, cementing its position as a major player in the EV market. However, Oklahoma led the nation with an astounding 572% increase, the highest growth rate of any state.
California, Florida, and Texas had the highest total EV registrations in the U.S. in 2023. California dominated, with over one-third of the nation’s EVs — 1.26 million in total — far outpacing any other state. Texas and Florida also contributed significantly to the national total. In contrast, North Dakota, Wyoming, and South Dakota had the lowest EV registrations, with fewer than 2,000 electric vehicles registered in each state.
On a per capita basis, California again led the nation, with 3.23% of its population owning an electric vehicle. Washington (1.95%) and Hawaii (1.78%) also had notably high per capita adoption rates, surpassing that of Texas, where only 0.75% of the population owned an EV.
Barriers to EV Ownership
Electric vehicles face several barriers to widespread adoption, ranging from practical concerns like charging infrastructure and battery life to financial considerations such as affordability and maintenance costs. Below are the key challenges Texans and other Americans see in transitioning to EVs — as well as their perceptions of income requirements, generational differences, and future interest in ownership.
Concerns about battery range and limited charging stations in rural and suburban areas topped the list of EV adoption barriers, with 57% of Texans citing each as a significant obstacle. Another 52% of Texans believed EVs were too expensive, highlighting affordability as a key issue.
Generational differences also shaped perceptions of barriers. Among Gen Z, 41% were the least likely to consider EVs too expensive, while 49% identified battery life as their biggest concern. Trust in EV brands was another challenge: 1 in 5 Americans said a lack of trust in certain EV brands is a major obstacle, and 19% of Gen Z shared this sentiment.
On average, Americans believed an annual income of $82,991 was needed to comfortably afford an EV, while Texans estimated a slightly lower amount at $79,459. Despite these financial considerations, opinions on maintenance costs varied. Gen Z was the most optimistic: 30% thought maintaining an EV was less expensive than a gas vehicle. In contrast, 42% of Texans believed EV maintenance was more expensive, while 31% thought it was less.
Future interest in EV ownership was strong among non-EV owners: 67% said they would consider purchasing an EV within the next 2 to 5 years, while just 28% stated they would never consider one. Charging infrastructure was a critical factor: 71% of non-EV owners, including 72% of Texans, said they would be more likely to purchase an EV if charging stations were as common as gas stations.
EV Brand Trust and Purchase Intent
Let’s now learn how Americans view key EV brands, the appeal of used EVs, and the impact of state-provided financial incentives on adoption rates.
Americans’ trust in electric vehicle brands varied. While 44% of Americans trusted Tesla the most among EV brands, 38% revealed they trusted Tesla the least and would never consider purchasing one. Among millennials and Gen Z, opinions were similarly polarized: 45% of millennials and 44% of Gen Z trusted Tesla the most, but 39% and 37%, respectively, said they trusted it the least.
Gen Z was also the most likely to distrust Rivian, with 17% saying they would never consider purchasing one, compared to 13% of Americans overall.
Used EVs had strong appeal among younger generations. Both Gen Z and millennials were the most likely to consider purchasing a used electric vehicle, with 64% of each group expressing interest. In Texas, 59% of all generations surveyed said they would consider buying a used EV, reflecting a significant market for pre-owned options.
We also wanted to see how certain incentives could impact America’s EV adoption rates. Over half of Americans (55%) and 52% of Texans considered state-provided incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, extremely or very important when deciding to purchase an electric vehicle. Factors like these could significantly influence decisions and further drive EV adoption.
How Income, Trust, and Incentives Shape EV Ownership
Electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. has been accelerating, with particularly impressive growth in Oklahoma. Meanwhile, challenges such as affordability, trust in brands, and limited charging infrastructure appeared to impact consumer decisions. Generational and regional differences also revealed varying priorities, from concerns about battery life to the appeal of used EVs.
As EV technology evolves and incentives improve, addressing these barriers should make electric vehicles more accessible and appealing to Americans. A broader shift to EVs will require collaboration between manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers to fully realize these vehicles’ potential.
Methodology
We analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Energy from 2020 to 2023 to explore the electric vehicle growth and count across the U.S.
We also surveyed 1,014 Americans to explore their attitudes toward electric vehicles (EVs). Among them, 14% owned an electric vehicle, and 86% didn’t. The generational breakdown of respondents was as follows: Gen Z (16%), millennials (52%), Gen X (24%), and baby boomers (8%). Survey data was collected in January 2025.
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Fair Use Statement
These findings may be shared for noncommercial purposes as long as you link to the original source.