Buyers Becoming More Likely to Consider EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) have hit the mainstream in 2023, and buyers are snapping up new models faster than ever before. Though they're far from obscure, EVs bring a different driving and ownership experience than their gas-powered counterparts. The recently released JD Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) Study looks at how likely buyers are to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase. The study finds that the number of people seeking to electrify their garages continues to increase. Charging remains challenging for many, but the times are changing, so we'll likely see significant changes in the study results soon.

In conducting the EVC Study, JD Power surveyed thousands of potential buyers. The company asked respondents why they might—or might not—consider an EV.

Long Commutes Drive Heavier Interest in EVs

Despite concerns over range and charging times, buyers are increasingly looking to electric vehicles. The 2023 EVC Study finds that more than a quarter (26 percent) of new-vehicle shoppers are "very likely" to consider an EV for their next purchase. Driving that interest is a combination of factors, including high gas prices, inflation, and more new EV models available on dealers' lots.

JD Power finds that drivers with lengthier commutes look to EVs more than others, with 35 percent of people who drive 45 minutes each way saying they are "very likely" to consider an EV.

Some States and Age Groups More Likely to Consider an EV

California, the state at the forefront of EV adoption in the United States, has the highest percentage (73.1 percent) of potential buyers who say they are overall likely to consider an EV and the highest of "very likely" buyers at 40.5 percent. New York ranks second, with 33.7 percent of shoppers saying they are very likely to consider it.

Similarly, younger buyers—Gen Z, specifically—show the largest increase in EV consideration. At the same time, Gen Y is the most likely to consider an EV, with 72 percent responding positively and 37 percent saying they are "very likely" to consider it. It's also worth noting that buyers with previous EV experience are twice as likely to consider another one over people new to electrification.

Tesla Sells the Most EVs but Isn't the Only Brand on Shoppers' Minds

Tesla is the top brand when it comes to EV consideration, but legacy automakers are creeping into its territory. According to the study, buyers who say Tesla would be their choice often noted charging convenience and availability as drivers of that choice. The Texas-based electric car company is opening its Supercharger network to Ford and General Motors (GM) models. Others will likely follow, so this category may get even tighter in the coming years.

Other automakers would be wise to note Ford and GM's recent moves, as 49 percent of shoppers say charging station availability is a significant tripping point to their consideration of a new EV. The same has been true since JD Power began the survey in 2021, as owners say home charging is their preferred method. That said, the occasional edge use-case of road trips and other longer excursions is a challenge to adoption.

Summary

Electric vehicles will become more common as time passes, and it will be interesting to see how customer satisfaction changes over time. Issues like charging may become less prevalent as the network improves and legacy automakers hop on board with more available and convenient charging methods. If you're wondering how EVs stack up against the rest of the market, head to the Shopping Guides section of our website.

Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.

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