U.S. electric vehicle ownership up, but fewer intend to buy
(NewsNation) — Nearly twice as many Americans own an electric vehicle this year than last year. But fewer people now say they’re thinking about buying an EV.
About 7 percent of Americans, up from 4% a year ago, report that they own an electric vehicle. But 35% of Americans say they might consider buying an EV in the future. Last year, that number was 43%.
The new Gallup survey comes as major U.S. auto makers have rolled back their EV investments, and has led the Biden administration to rethink its schedule of emission-reduction targets for auto companies.
Instead of relying solely on EVs to meet tighter emission limits, the EPA last month announced a strategy that will include EVs, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and more efficient gas vehicles.
As for the Gallup snapshot of who owns an EV:
- 14% of upper-income Americans, up from 6% last year
- 3% of lower-income Americans
- 11% of people identifying as liberal
- 7% identifying as moderate
- 4% identifying as conservative
In sum, the Gallup survey confirms that the U.S. market for EVs remains limited and stable, with about one in six owning or seriously considering buying one. That’s unchanged from last year.
Gallup surveyed by phone 1,016 Americans age 18 and older from March 1 through March 20. People in all 50 states and the District of Columbia were contacted. The survey has a 4% margin of error.
