On the Dash:
- Gas prices pushed EV consideration higher in April, 26% now “very likely” to consider an EV
- Purchase price is the most frequent objection, followed by range and charging availability.
- Shoppers without home charging access remain the hardest group to move toward EVs.
Rising gas prices pushed more new-vehicle shoppers toward electric vehicles in April, even as purchase price became a bigger reason some walked away, according to new research from JD Power.
The 2026 JD Power U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration Study found 26% of new-vehicle shoppers were “very likely” to consider an EV in April, up 3 percentage points from March. The share calling an EV “very unlikely” dropped 4 points to 18% that same month.
“Despite ongoing policy changes, including the repeal of federal tax credits, a growing number of new-vehicle shoppers remain interested in EVs,” Brent Gruber, executive director of OEM and EV solutions at JD Power, said in a statement.
Charging station availability remained the leading reason shoppers ruled out EVs. 46% say that’s why they aren’t going electric. That figure was down 6 percentage points year over year. Charging time came in second at 44%, down 2 points. Purchase price ranked third overall at 42%, down 1 point year over year and down 5 points since 2024.
Respondents who said they are “very unlikely” to consider an EV are holding a hard line. More than half, 56%, said they were unwilling to pay any price for an EV. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they would need at least 500 miles of range before considering one. Another 43% say they want to see charging station availability match that of gas stations before considering an electric vehicle.
Price sensitivity varied by generation. Among Gen Z shoppers, 32% say purchase price was their top barrier to EV consideration. Among Gen Y, that figure was 35%. Older generations placed more emphasis on charging time and charging availability.
The ability to charge at home remains a key driver of EV adoption. Among shoppers living in apartments, only 18% said they were “very likely” to consider an EV, down 4 points year over year. That figure was 17% for condo and townhouse residents.
“Without meaningful progress in these areas, a large share of would-be EV buyers will remain out of reach, regardless of how attractive the vehicles become,” Gruber said.
The JD Power findings offer dealers a picture of where EV barriers are softening and where they are not. Gas price swings can move the needle short term. But price, infrastructure access and home charging capability continue to shape longer-term decisions.
