Selflender logo
1 (877) 883-0999 Back to Data & Guides Back
>
cars icon Cars

Electric Vehicles by State

Data & Guides Cars Electric Vehicles by State

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a more common sight on American roads. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Energy shows that there were over 1.1 million more EVs registered in 2023 compared to 2022 (a 45.6% increase year-over-year). [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

While adoption is rising overall, it varies significantly by state. In this article, we examine how electric vehicle registration differs across the country, from total numbers to per capita density, and reveal which states are leading the shift to electric.

Key statistics

  • There were 3.56 million electric vehicles registered in the U.S. as of 2023, a 45.6% increase from 2022, where 2.44 million were recorded. 
  • Electric vehicles account for 1.40% of all registered vehicles in the U.S, according to the latest data (2023), up from 1.0% the previous year.
  • California leads all states with 1,256,646 registered electric vehicles, nearly five times more than Florida (254,878), the next highest.
  • California also leads the way with the most EVs per capita, with 3,410 per 100,000 residents, the highest of any U.S. state.
  • North Dakota had the highest percentage growth in EV registrations between 2022 and 2023, increasing by 167%.
  • Despite that growth, North Dakota still had the fewest EVs in 2023, with just 959 registered across the state.
  • Tesla sold a combined 601,481 units across its top three EV models in 2024, making it the most represented manufacturer in the top 10 sold models.
  • The Tesla Model Y was the most sold electric vehicle in 2024, with 372,613 units sold.
  • In Q4 2024, Millennials had the highest rate of EV registration by generation, with 12.5% of their new vehicles being fully electric. 
Evs total number EVs per 100,000 residents

How many electric vehicles are in the US?

There were 3.56 million EVs registered in the United States as of 2023, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC). This represents a significant increase of approximately 1.11 million vehicles (45.6%) compared to 2022, when there were 2.42 million EVs registered nationwide.

The growth demonstrates the continued expansion of electric vehicle registration across the country, with EVs now accounting for 1.40% of all registered vehicles in the U.S., up from 1.0% in the previous year. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Electric vehicles registered by state

Electric vehicle registration is on the rise across the United States, but progress varies widely by state. Some regions are registering hundreds of thousands of EVs annually, while others are just beginning to build momentum.

North Dakota had the highest percentage EV registration increase (167%) between 2022 and 2023, while the smallest year-over-year growth was in Hawaii, where EV registration increased by 29.1% – still significant, but comparatively slower than other states. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

There could be different factors that contribute to the amount of EV adoption growth per state, including population size, charging infrastructure, and income levels. [2] Winn, Zackery. Factors Affecting Electric Vehicle Adoption in the United States. Utah State University https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2782&context=gradreports

States with the most electric vehicles

California leads the nation in electric vehicle adoption by every major metric. Topping the list for total registrations, the highest percentage of EVs of total vehicles, and EVs per 100,000 residents. With almost 1.3 million electric vehicles in total, California’s EVs account for 3.4% of all registered vehicles in the state, and there are 3,410 EVs for every 100,000 residents.

The gap between California and other states demonstrates the sheer number of EVs in the state. The leading state is followed by Florida, with 254,878 EVs, less than one-fifth of California’s registered EVs. Texas ranks third with 230,125, while Washington and New Jersey round out the top five with 152,101 and 134,753 electric vehicles, respectively.

Outside of the top spot, there are some variations when looking at EVs as a share of all registered vehicles and EVs per 100,000 residents. The District of Columbia ranks second in both categories, vehicles making up 2.6% of all registered vehicles and a density of 2,584 per 100,000 residents. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Top 5 states by total number:

  1. California: 1,256,646 EVs
  2. Florida: 254,878 EVs
  3. Texas: 230,125 EVs
  4. Washington: 152,101 EVs
  5. New Jersey: 134,753 EVs

Top 5 states by percentage of total vehicles:

  1. California: 3.4%
  2. District of Columbia: 2.6%
  3. Hawaii: 2.4%
  4. Washington: 2.2%
  5. Nevada: 1.9%

Top 5 states by EV density per 100,000 residents:

  1. California: 3,410.14
  2. District of Columbia: 2,584.43
  3. Washington: 2,231.50
  4. Nevada: 1,852.86
  5. New Jersey: 1,839.86

Source [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

States with the fewest electric vehicles registered

Despite having the largest percentage increase in EV registrations (167%), North Dakota still has the fewest total electric vehicles, with just 959 registered. The state also has the second-lowest EV share of total registered vehicles at 0.12% and ranks low in EV density with only 120.27 EVs per 100,000 residents.

Other states that feature in the bottom five for total EVs registered, percentage of EVs as a share of all vehicles, and EVs per 100,000 residents include Wyoming, South Dakota, and Mississippi. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Bottom 5 states by total number:

  1. North Dakota: 959 EVs
  2. Wyoming: 1,139 EVs
  3. South Dakota: 1,675 EVs
  4. Mississippi: 3,590 EVs
  5. Alaska: 2,697 EVs

Bottom 5 states by percentage of total vehicles:

  1. Mississippi: 0.13%
  2. North Dakota: 0.12%
  3. West Virginia: 0.18%
  4. South Dakota: 0.18%
  5. Wyoming: 0.17%

Bottom 5 states by EV density per 100,000 residents:

  1. Mississippi: 131.83
  2. North Dakota: 120.27
  3. Wyoming: 174.45
  4. West Virginia: 182.54
  5. South Dakota: 182.46

Source [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Annual growth in EV registrations

There has been huge growth in the registration of electric vehicles according to the latest data, increasing by more than 1.1 million registered EVs in 2023. This upward trend appears to have been consistent since 2016. In that year, just 280,300 electric vehicles were registered across the U.S. Since then, registrations have increased every year. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registrationSource [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Years EV
2016 280,300
2017 377,100
2018 572,600
2019 783,600
2020 1,018,900
2021 1,454,400
2022 2,442,300
2023 3,555,900

Source [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Highest EV registration growth by state

The total EV registration numbers have risen year over year, and certain states have driven much of that growth.

Again, California led the way in most total EVs registered, with 353,046 additional electric vehicles from 2022 to 2023. This is a significant rise when comparing the sheer EVs to other states with the highest growth. Florida saw 86,878 and Texas 81,125 new EVs registered, less than a quarter of California’s increase (24.6% and 23.0%, respectively). [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

State New EVs (2022–2023)
California 353046
Florida 86878
Texas 81125
Washington 48001
New Jersey 47753

Source [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

EV vs traditional vehicles in the U.S

According to the latest available data from 2023, electric vehicles total 1.4% of all registered vehicles in the U.S., up from 1.0% in 2022. While EV adoption is growing year over year, gasoline-powered vehicles continue to dominate the market. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Source [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

In 2023, gasoline vehicles accounted for 95.7% of all registrations, while diesel vehicles made up 2.8%. These shares have shifted only slightly over time. For example, in 2016, gasoline vehicles held 96.56% of the market, and diesel made up 3.3%. Electric vehicles, by contrast, have seen a steady rise in share, growing from just 0.1% in 2016 to 1.4% in 2023. That’s more than a tenfold increase in seven years. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Source [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

The stacked bar chart highlights how electric vehicles made up a small share of total registrations until recent years. While gasoline vehicles still account for the vast majority of registrations, their share has seen a gradual decline as electric vehicles slowly gain ground. [1] U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. “Electric Vehicle Registrations by State” https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

Most popular electric vehicle models

Sales data tells a different story from total vehicle registrations, with electric vehicles making up a larger share of the market, accounting for 21.2% of all new car sales in Q3 2024. Tesla continues to dominate this space, topping EV sales across multiple models. [3] U.S. Energy Information Administration. “U.S. share of electric and hybrid vehicle sales reached a record in the third quarter of 2024,” Today in Energy https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=63904

Based on 2024 new car sales data, Tesla leads the electric vehicle market, with three models ranked among the top five most sold EVs in the U.S. The Tesla Model Y holds the top spot with 372,613 units sold, followed by Model 3 in second place with 189,903 units. The Tesla Cybertruck ranks fifth, recording 38,965 units during its debut year. Altogether, these three Tesla models accounted for 601,481 EV sales, making Tesla the most represented manufacturer in the top 10.

Other companies making it into the top 10 included the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which ranked third with 51,745 units sold. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 matched that total, also selling 44,000 units. Ford also made another appearance in sixth place with the F-150 Lightning, which sold 33,510 units. [4] Kelley Blue Book. “Most Popular Electric Cars of 2024” https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/most-popular-electric-cars/

Car Model Total unit sold 2024
1. Tesla Model Y 372,613
2. Tesla Model 3 189,903
3. Ford Mustang Mach-E 51,745
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 44,000
5. Tesla Cybertruck 38,965
6. Ford F-150 Lightning 33,510
7. Honda Prologue 33,017
8. Chevrolet Equinox EV 28,874
9. Cadillac Lyriq 28,402
10. Rivian R1S 26,934

Source [4] Kelley Blue Book. “Most Popular Electric Cars of 2024” https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/most-popular-electric-cars/

Generation differences in EV registration

EV adoption doesn’t just vary by state, recent figures on new EV registrations also show clear generational differences. Millennials are the most likely to register a new EV, while the silent generation is least likely to register an electric vehicle.

New Vehicle Registrations by Generation and Fuel Type (Q4 2024)
Generation Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) % Hybrids (Plug-in & Gas/Electric) % Gasoline & Flex %
Gen X 10.90% 14.30% 71.10%
Baby Boomers 6.60% 15.90% 74.70%
Millennials 12.50% 15.10% 69.20%
Gen Z 9.10% 14.30% 74.00%
Silent Gen 5.60% 15.50% 76.90%
Greatest Gen 8.40% 14.60% 73.40%

Source [5] Experian. “Q4 2024 Automotive Market Trends Report” https://www.experian.com/content/dam/noindex/na/us/automotive/market-trends/2024/auto-market-trends-q4-2024.pdf

As of Q4 2024, 12.5% of new vehicle registrations among millennials were BEVs, the highest of any generation. Gen X followed at 10.9%, while Gen Z came in at 9.1%. Older generations lagged behind, with only 6.6% of baby boomers, 5.6% of the silent generation, and 8.4% of the greatest generation registering BEVs.

Despite lower BEV uptake, hybrid vehicles (both plug-in and gas/electric) were relatively consistent across all generations, ranging from 14.3 to 15.9%. The majority of new vehicles registered across every generation were gasoline or flex-fuel options. Nearly 77% of silent generation drivers and 74.7% of baby boomers still chose traditional fuel vehicles. [4] Kelley Blue Book. “Most Popular Electric Cars of 2024” https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/most-popular-electric-cars/

Methodology

This article uses the latest available vehicle registration data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), which provides a comprehensive snapshot of electric vehicle (EV) adoption across the country. Unlike vehicle sales data, which only reflects newly sold cars – registration figures capture all vehicles currently on the road, both new and old. This offers a more accurate view of total EV presence and market penetration over time.

By analyzing annual state-level EV registration data, we were able to assess total EV counts, annual growth trends, and EVs as a percentage of all registered vehicles. These figures were used to compare states by total volume, per capita density, and proportional market share. This approach provides a broader, long-term perspective on EV adoption than sales data alone, which is more indicative of recent consumer trends and manufacturer performance.

Sources

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Related Articles

You are leaving Self Close
Self Financial, Inc. and the issuer(s) of the Credit Builder Account and Secured Credit Card make no representation concerning and is not responsible for the quality, content, nature, or reliability of any hyperlinked site and is providing this hyperlink to you only as a convenience. The inclusion of any hyperlink does not imply any endorsement, investigation, verification or monitoring by Self Financial, Inc and the issuer(s) of the Credit Builder Account and Secured Credit Card of any information in any hyperlinked site. In no event shall Self Financial, Inc. or the issuer(s) of the Credit Builder Account and Secured Credit Card be responsible for your use of a hyperlinked site.