What are the best cities to live in if you own or want to own an electric vehicle? Some of the urban centers on our list seem like typical havens for EV owners, while others may come as a shock.
According to a Car Max survey, 26% of EV owners live in 3 states—California, Oregon, and Washington. Those who don’t have to deal with snow and ice are also more likely to own an EV. In fact, 50% of EVs are sold in the 17 states with the highest average temperatures. A robust EV infrastructure is crucial for EV drivers, ensuring convenient access to charging stations and promoting electric vehicle adoption.
Some locations are a lot more surprising, however, including cities in the heart of vehicle manufacturing and oil country, that still make owning an EV a breeze. Additionally, there has been significant growth in electric car sales in these unexpected regions, further supporting the shift towards clean transportation.
26%
San Jose
Home of the Silicon Valley, where cutting-edge technology is considered a necessary luxury, San Jose tops our list of best cities for EV drivers. An average of 9% of cars on the road in San Jose are electric, 13 times the national average. There are over 955 individual charge points and over 1,400 charging stations at workplaces around the city, including brand new Blink IQ 200 charging stations, which are the fastest networked Level 2 product on the market.
Federal tax credits stand at $7,500 per vehicle, and state tax credits for EV ownership are up to $2,500, so a consumer could put as much as a whopping $10,000 back in their pocket after purchasing an EV. San Jose has made significant efforts to improve its EV charging infrastructure, ensuring more chargers are available to meet the growing demand. Other benefits include preferential parking, lower electric rates, and access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a leader in EV adoption, with ambitious targets for electric vehicles and many EV chargers. The city has made significant strides in expanding its EV infrastructure, making it easier for residents and visitors to charge their vehicles. Los Angeles also plays a key role in promoting electric vehicle use along historic Route 66, providing numerous charging stations for travelers.
Portland
More than 70% of Portland’s electricity comes from clean and renewable resources, and at less than a nickel per kWh during off-peak hours, electricity is far less expensive in Portland than higher-priced west coast cities.
According to The International Council on Clean Transportation, Portland also has the highest per capita concentration of EV charging stations among the 25 largest U.S. cities. There are also some rebates and incentives offered throughout Oregon that EV drivers can use to purchase a Blink HQ residential charging station for their homes.
San Diego
San Diego is another EV-friendly city, with a robust network of charging stations and numerous EV-friendly locations. The city is a popular destination for road trips along California’s coastline, offering convenient charging options for electric vehicle users. San Diego’s commitment to supporting EV infrastructure makes it an attractive place for EV owners.
Austin
The heart of oil country seems an unlikely place to find an EV-friendly city, but Austin features 555 level 2 chargers within 15 miles of the city center. According to Austin Energy.com, “Austin Energy’s Plug-In EVerywhere™ program offers EV owners in its service area a rebate of 50% of the cost of the purchase and installation of a Level 2 charging station.” The Plug-In EVerywhere program already features 110 charging stations with 100% renewable energy.
Austin Energy customers may also be entitled to a rebate for home-charging stations of up to $1,200. Additionally, there are over 50 EV chargers available within 15 miles of the city center, making it convenient for electric vehicle owners to charge their cars.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is a noteworthy stop along Route 66 for travelers and electric vehicle users. The city offers several charging stations, making it a convenient pause for those journeying through the Sooner State. Oklahoma City’s growing EV infrastructure supports its role as a key location on the historic trail.
New York
With neither year-round warm weather, nor a location on the west coast, New York is still a city you would expect to find on our list because of its friendliness to environmental causes. New York’s Clean Drive Rebate can be used at point of sale for up to $2,000. Combining the rebate with the federal tax credit can bring savings to $7,500.
Drivers can use the HOV lane on the Long Island Expressway and save up to 10% on tolls, as well as insurance savings for green driving. New York is also making significant efforts to expand EV charging options, improving accessibility and supporting the growth of EV charging stations across the state.
San Francisco
San Francisco boasts a significant number of EV charging stations, comparable to other major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Boston. The city offers numerous charging options at popular locations and attractions, such as along the Pacific Coast Highway and at tourist destinations like Mendocino. This extensive infrastructure supports San Francisco’s commitment to promoting electric vehicle use.
Detroit’s Weak EV Charging Infrastructure
It may seem counter-intuitive for Detroit drivers to purchase electric vehicles, but Detroit still ranks eighth in EV sales! Despite the lack of support from local and state governments, sales continue to soar. With gas prices 10% higher than the national average, and electricity rates a third of the national average, Detroit may have accidentally provided its own motivation for drivers to go green and save green at the same time.
Overall, the future for EVs in the United States of America is very bright. With more charging stations and more electric cars on the roads than ever before, we are starting to see EVs becoming a mainstream mode of transportation. However, some cities like Louisville, Birmingham, and Milwaukee are part of the weakest EV charging network, with fewer chargers among the 50 largest metro areas, making it challenging for residents to adopt EVs.
California, Washington, and Oregon lead the path to the EV future, and other states can use it as a guiding point to jump on board and make sure that their residents and businesses can benefit from everything electric cars can offer.
