Few Americans own an electric vehicle, more than a third say they are likely to purchase one
While just 7 percent of Americans say they own an EV, 37 percent say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase one the next time they purchase a vehicle, and of the few who own one 78 percent say they are likely to buy another. Those under the age of 45 and those living in urban and suburban areas are more likely to own or lease an EV. They are also more likely to purchase an EV as their next vehicle, as are wealthier Americans. Americans in the West are more likely to purchase an EV (22 percent) than Americans from the Midwest (13 percent), South (16 percent) and Northeast (16 percent). And, while Republicans and Democrats own electric vehicles at similar rates, almost twice as many Democrats say they are likely to purchase one compared to Republicans.
Cost remains the top reason why Americans say they won’t buy an EV
While Congress and the Trump administration has ended tax incentives for EVs, more than half of Americans say such tax breaks would be motivation for buying one. This is the motivation where there is the least divide between Democrats and Republicans, with 25 percent of Democrats and 20 percent of Republicans listing tax breaks as a major reason to buy an EV. At the same time, 8 in 10 Americans say cost remains a top reason they won’t purchase an EV, consistent across income levels. Americans also list range limitations and charging time as top reasons why they won’t buy one. Regardless of whether respondents live in a rural, suburban, or urban area, about 6 in 10 say that a reason they wouldn’t purchase an EV is that they don’t know of charging stations nearby—this despite large investments in EV charging stations in recent years.
Most Americans would prefer an American EV over one from China, up to a point
Despite first the Biden administration and now the Trump administration imposing tariffs to make Chinese EVs more expensive and stave off competition, the poll showed most Americans aren’t interested in buying Chinese EVs in the first place. When told the Chinese version would be $500, $1,000, $2,000, cheaper than the American-made car, the majority still said they would pay more for the American car— they begin to waver at higher price differences of $5,000 or $10,000 and are less willing to pay more for American-made vehicles than they were in 2024. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to choose the American vehicle, though majorities of both parties still say they would buy American at some price differences. Seventy-nine percent of Republicans would buy American at the lowest price difference, versus 58 percent of Democrats. Americans over 45 were more likely than younger Americans to say they would buy US-made vehicles—77 percent of Americans 45+ versus 56 percent of Americans under 45 for the lowest price difference.