Only 11% of Gas‑Car Drivers See an EV as Their Next Purchase
A new study finds just a fraction of gasoline and diesel owners plan to switch to electric vehicles.
EV adoption in the United States remains limited among traditional car owners.
Low Intent to Purchase
A report by HERE Technologies and SBD Automotive surveyed 4,058 drivers across eight markets and found that only 11% of U.S. owners of gasoline and diesel vehicles consider an electric vehicle their most likely next purchase or lease.
Charging Satisfaction Divides
Among current EV owners in the United States, 85% rate charging coverage as good or very good, up from 72% in 2025, the highest satisfaction level among the surveyed markets. By contrast, only 42% of non‑EV owners give charging coverage a positive rating, creating a 43‑point gap that suggests direct experience improves confidence in the network.
Infrastructure Gains Not Enough
U.S. public charging points grew by more than 14% between 2025 and 2026, and average charger power rose from 65 kW to 83 kW, a 28% increase. Yet these improvements have not translated into broader buying intent.
Cost Perceptions Remain Mixed
Just 34% of U.S. respondents believe EVs are cheaper to own than gasoline‑powered vehicles, while 29% say the costs are about the same and 28% consider EVs more expensive.
Future Buying Intent Among EV Owners
Among those who already own an electric car, 77% say they are likely to purchase another EV.
Impact of Incentive Changes
The report notes that the end of purchase incentives in late 2025 contributed to dampened EV sales into 2026.
Automakers face the dual challenge of keeping existing EV owners satisfied while convincing skeptical gas‑car drivers that electric models make sense for their wallets and daily routines.
Closing the gap between infrastructure improvements and consumer confidence will be key to expanding the electric market.
