(Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Americans' excitement about electric cars has dwindled in recent years, but it has now dropped to its lowest level since 2019, according to a report from AAA.
Only 16% of US adults say they're "very likely" or "likely" to purchase an EV as their next car, down from 25% in 2022. The percentage of consumers who said they are "unlikely" or "very unlikely" to purchase an EV rose from 51% in 2022 to 63% in 2025. The middle ground of people who were "neither likely nor unlikely" rose a percentage point compared with last year.
(Credit: AAA)However, AAA's study doesn't tell the whole story. US sales data shows that EVs were more popular than ever in the US last year, hitting a record in Q4 2024 thanks to new launches from GM and Honda, according to Cox Automotive. According to the International Energy Agency, more than 25% of cars sold worldwide are expected to be electric.
Will EV sales continue to rise, or will the sinking consumer interest slow momentum?
Top EV Ownership Concerns: Batteries and Bros
The biggest concerns about owning an EV are unsurprising, with high battery repair costs (62%) and purchase price (59%) emerging as top issues. Thanks to stubbornly high battery costs, the price of EVs has not gone down as much as expected. GM and Honda killed plans for a joint, sub-$30,000 EV, and Tesla similarly axed its $25,000 car.
Other concerns include range or perceived issues with long-distance travel (57%), despite the fact that the median range hit record highs last year at 283 miles, according to the US Department of Energy. The inconvenience of public charging stations (56%) and fear of running out of charge while driving (55%) are also top of mind.
A small but significant portion (12%) cited political reasons, specifically the potential reduction or elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax incentive. President Trump says he wants to kill the tax credit, though hasn't done it yet. His administration halted work on the $5 billion nationwide charging network created by President Biden; just 10% of the original funding remains in play.
The brand perception of Tesla, the number one EV brand, could also turn away buyers who may have otherwise opted for a Model 3 or Model Y. With protesters torching Tesla dealers and Superchargers, who wants to buy one? CEO Elon Musk's controversial political actions have prompted, or at least coincided, with tanking sales across the US and Europe, and a full-blown brand crisis.
It's possible that without confidence in Washington, or confidence in Tesla, existing concerns about EVs can become heightened amongst shoppers, rather than assuaged, over time. However, Tesla sales in Norway jumped last month, bucking the downward trend across Europe, CNBC reports. There could be time for Musk to turn the ship around.
There Are Still Great Reasons to Buy an EV
Many of the reasons shoppers still want an EV are related to cost, with saving on gas at the top (74%), as well as lower maintenance and repair costs (47%) and tax credits (39%).
A 2025 AAA report found that "EVs had the lowest fuel cost of any vehicle type, based on a national average electricity price of 15.9 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), [as well as]...the lowest maintenance costs among all models."
The top non-money-related reasons include concern for the environment (59%), and a desire for cutting edge technology (22%).
(Credit: AAA)Where does the EV industry go from here? The AAA recommends a shift to hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles, which Toyota has championed all along.
Hybrids "combine the advantages of traditional internal combustion engines with electric power, reducing range anxiety while providing an environmentally friendly alternative," the AAA says. "This combination meets today’s diverse needs and preferences for drivers, allowing them to enjoy electric driving without losing the familiarity of conventional gas-powered vehicles."