These Are The States Where Almost No One Owns An EV

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) adoption by state can be measured in several ways. The first is by raw numbers. For example, Californians own about 1.5 million BEVs—the largest number in the nation, according to the Energy Department’s Alternate Fuel Data Center. This represents about a third of all EVs owned in the country. However, California is the largest state by population, so this figure can be misleading. With 40 million residents, California accounts for 12% of America’s population.

A better measuring stick for BEV ownership is per 1,000 people. This metric measures market penetration, which is a much better way to gauge how popular BEVs are in any state, city, or country. The national average in the US is 10 to 12 BEVs per 1,000 people.

One notable factor about BEV ownership is that it is concentrated primarily on the two coasts. In the West, along the Pacific Coast, ownership is particularly high in California, from San Francisco to San Diego. On the East Coast, high concentration runs from Boston to Washington, DC. According to One notable factor about BEV ownership is that it is concentrated primarily on the two coasts. In the West, along the Pacific Coast, ownership is particularly high in California, from San Francisco to San Diego. On the East Coast, high concentration runs from Boston to Washington, DC. According to Sustainability by Numbers, “Perhaps unsurprisingly, California has the highest rates, with a share of 3.5%. In fact, EVs are popular along most of the West coast (and parts of the East coast).”

s, “Perhaps unsurprisingly, California has the highest rates, with a share of 3.5%. In fact, EVs are popular along most of the West coast (and parts of the East coast).”

By contrast, ownership is low in states that are largely rural, as well as those in the South and Midwest. Similarly, an analysis of ownership of Ford’s F-150 pickup—the most popular vehicle in America—shows that ownership is very high in states including Alabama, Iowa, Idaho, Kentucky, and Louisiana. According to CBS, “Pickups are most popular in the states you’d probably expect – Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota and the like – where construction, ranching and hauling are a way of life.” Full-sized pickups are notorious gas guzzlers.

Several important factors contribute to low ownership rates, particularly in upper Midwest states.

Weather: BEV batteries do not hold a charge in very cold weather. An EV that can travel 250 miles on a fully charged battery can have its range cut to 160 miles. This is a considerable problem for people who use BEVs for much more than short or medium-range commutes. (Ironically, this problem means that many states with low BEV ownership have a high concentration of public charging stations, since drivers facing reduced range due to cold weather and distance need more places to recharge.) According to Consumer Reports, “Cold temperatures can slow down the chemical reaction inside the battery, which allows it to create power. Supplying cabin heat is a major draw, and there’s the impact of maintaining battery temperature.”

Politics: Another, harder-to-prove factor is politics. Some research shows that liberals are more likely to own BEVs than conservatives, according to Gallup. Arkansas, Alabama, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia are among the most conservative states. A study by Pew came to a similar conclusion: “Democrats remain more likely than Republicans to say they would seriously consider purchasing an EV (48% vs. 18%).”

Gas Prices: Finally, there is the price of gas. One reason people buy BEVs is that “fueling” them is less expensive than using gasoline. The lowest gas prices, according to Gas Buddy, are in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi. CNBC reports, “In places like Texas with particularly low gas prices, it’s harder for an EV to break even.”

Based on such a large number of factors, the list of states where people are least likely to own a BEV is unlikely to change.

Top 10 States with the Lowest BEV Registrations per 1,000 People

Mississippi: ~1.1 BEVs per 1,000 people (110 per 100,000)

North Dakota: ~1.1–1.2 BEVs per 1,000 people (112–120 per 100,000)

West Virginia: ~1.5–2.0 BEVs per 1,000 people

Arkansas: ~2.0–2.5 BEVs per 1,000 people

Louisiana: ~2.0–2.5 BEVs per 1,000 people

Alabama: ~2.5 BEVs per 1,000 people

South Dakota: ~2.5–3.0 BEVs per 1,000 people

Wyoming: ~2.5–3.0 BEVs per 1,000 people

Kentucky: ~3.0 BEVs per 1,000 people

Oklahoma: ~3.0–3.5 BEVs per 1,000 people