American EV Interest Rises as Charging Infrastructure Grows
A new study finds growing American interest in electric vehicles, primarily driven by an expanding charging network, despite a recent dip in market share.
More American car buyers are interested in electric vehicles than they were last year, according to the recently released HERE-SBD EV Index 2026. The main driver of this growing interest is the expanding charging infrastructure across the country.
While EV market share in the U.S. Has dropped to 5.37% this year after a tax credit change, underlying consumer sentiment is shifting. The report indicates that 10% fewer owners of internal combustion engine vehicles now intend to buy another gas-powered car. Around 8% of ICE drivers said they would switch to an EV if price and options were equal, while 12% wanted to switch regardless of price. That 12% figure has doubled from the 6% recorded last year.
Charging Infrastructure Drives Confidence
High gas prices are influencing the shift, with 57% of polled drivers citing them as a factor. Eight out of ten existing EV owners list fuel costs as a key reason to stay electric. However, the study identifies improvements in charging locations, charge speed, and EV range as the biggest factors boosting consumer confidence.
Robert Fisher, Senior Consulting Manager at SBD Automotive, commented on the findings. "This year’s EV index shows Americans are becoming more open to the idea of driving an EV and more confident in the infrastructure needed to support them," he said. "While EV uptake may be slowing, the findings suggest continued investment in charging infrastructure is starting to translate into greater consumer confidence."
State-by-State Interest Varies Widely
Interest is not uniform nationwide. States like Iowa and South Dakota saw drops in EV interest, which the report links to poor charging infrastructure. Conversely, states including Alaska, Oklahoma, and Utah experienced massive spikes in their EV Index scores.
The top five states for EV interest, in order, are Delaware, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. This ranking indicates the East Coast is currently the nation's most rapidly improving region for EV sentiment.
The Broader Trend Points Electric
The data presents a complex picture. Current sales figures show a relative decline, but the study's indicators of future intent suggest a broader trend toward electrification. Consumer confidence, often a precursor to purchasing behavior, is rising in areas with strong charging networks. The overall trajectory points toward growing American openness to electric vehicles as infrastructure expands.
