A recent study conducted by iSeeCars has shed light on the diverse adoption rates of electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs) across different states in the United States. The findings not only demonstrate the significant growth of the EV market but also highlight the contrasting attitudes towards transitioning to greener alternatives among American drivers.
According to the data analysis, the market share of electric and hybrid vehicles in the US has seen a remarkable 85.3 percent increase between 2018 and 2023. This surge in popularity is nearly three times higher than the growth observed during the preceding five-year period from 2017 to 2022, emphasizing the accelerated pace of change in the automotive industry.
Interestingly, some states have embraced the transition to EVs and hybrids at a much higher rate than others. Surprisingly, California, often considered a frontrunner in environmental initiatives, does not rank in the top 10 states. Instead, the leading state is Alaska, with an impressive 272.1 percent growth in alternative fuel share over the past five years. Following closely behind are West Virginia with 200.9 percent and Colorado with 184.9 percent. New Jersey (169.4 percent) and Louisiana (152.9 percent) complete the top five states in terms of growth.
In terms of the share of alternative fuel vehicles in the overall car market, Colorado takes the lead with an impressive 6.1 percent, surpassing the national average of 4.1 percent. However, this figure still highlights the substantial gap between EVs, hybrids, and traditional combustion vehicles in terms of sales.
On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii has exhibited the slowest growth in EV and hybrid adoption, recording a mere 43.7 percent increase over the past five years. Following closely are Oregon at 47.8 percent, New Mexico and Vermont (both at 53.1 percent), and California at 63.5 percent. Louisiana stands out as the state with the lowest adoption rate, with alternative fuel vehicles accounting for a mere 1.5 percent of sales.
Interestingly, although Oregon, California, and Washington find themselves among the bottom six states in terms of growth, they hold the top three spots for overall alternative fuel vehicle market share. Analyst Karl Brauer from iSeeCars suggests that these states may have reached a market threshold for alternative fuel vehicle adoption, making further growth more challenging.
The study’s findings underscore the varying levels of enthusiasm and readiness for embracing greener transportation options among American drivers. As the popularity of EVs and hybrids continues to surge nationwide, the study provides valuable insights into the complex factors influencing the transition to more sustainable automotive technologies.
