Electric Car Demographics: 34 Buyer Facts (Numbers & Stats)

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, it’s essential to understand the demographics of their adopters.

In this article, we’ll explore the profile of EV owners, their motivations, and how these factors shape the future of sustainable transportation.

Let’s dive in!

Quick Facts About Electric Car Demographics

• Majorities of Gen Z (56%) and Millennial (57%) adults favor phasing out production of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
• 45% of Gen X and 38% of Baby Boomers and older Americans favor phasing out production of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
• Over a quarter of EV buyers are aged 35-49.
• 40% of EV buyers are aged 18-34.
• 68% of EV buyers are men vs. 32% of EV buyers are women.
• 44% of EV-interested consumers identify as Democrats, while 23% say they are Republicans.
• In the fourth quarter of 2021, electrified vehicles accounted for 11.8% of total vehicle sales in the US.
• Higher-income households (earning over $100,000 annually) account for 56% of EV owners in the United States.
• Only 4% of EV owners in the U.S. have a household income of under $25,000 per year.
• Urban dwellers, who make up about 81% of the U.S. population, account for 83% of EV owners.
• Approximately 29% of EV owners have a postgraduate degree, while only 18% of the general population holds one.
• In a U.S. survey, 74% of EV owners stated that environmental concerns were a primary motivation for purchasing an EV.
• Government incentives, such as the U.S. federal tax credit of up to $7,500, have a significant impact on EV adoption rates.
• 80% of EV charging in the U.S. occurs at home, making access to home charging infrastructure crucial for adoption.
• Range anxiety persists, with 58% of potential EV buyers in the U.S. citing it as a top concern.

Who is Tesla’s Target Audience?

Tesla, the leading electric car manufacturer, has a distinct target audience that contributes significantly to its global success.

The company caters to individuals who value environmentally-friendly alternatives while also appreciating cutting-edge technology and a luxurious lifestyle.

To better understand Tesla’s target audience, we can examine various demographics and psychographic factors:

Income Level

Tesla vehicles are known for their premium price tags, making them more suitable for consumers with higher disposable incomes.

Based on the math below, you would need to earn a minimum of $66,667 to $73,333 per year before taxes to afford a Tesla Model 3 comfortably.

Here’s the reasoning:

Let’s consider the starting price of a new or slightly used Tesla Model 3 around $39,990.

Assuming a down payment of 20% ($7,998) and financing the remaining $31,992 over 5 years at an interest rate of 4%, your monthly payment would be approximately $590. Over a year, that’s about $7,080.

Now, let’s consider other costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes. These can vary greatly, but we can roughly estimate an additional $3,000 to $4,000 per year for these expenses.

Combining the car payment and additional costs, you would need to allocate approximately $10,000 to $11,000 per year to afford a Tesla Model 3.

As a rule of thumb, your car expenses should not exceed 15% of your annual gross income.

This suggests that the brand targets upper-middle to high-income individuals.

Gender

Tesla has a predominantly male customer base.

This may be a general trend seen in the electric vehicle industry, as indicated by the registrations of Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf.

Age Group

Millennials, or those aged between 25-34 at present, have displayed the greatest interest in EVs among all age groups.

In fact, a study conducted in April 2021 revealed that nearly half of the surveyed millennials were either considering or planning to purchase an electric vehicle.

Furthermore, the age group of 18-24 year-olds also showed a strong inclination towards EVs.

These younger buyers prioritize environmental concerns and are more likely to adopt new and emerging technologies, such as electric cars.

In contrast, older generations may have a lesser degree of interest in or familiarity with electric vehicles, leading to reduced likelihood of considering or purchasing an EV.

Various factors contribute to the increased interest in electric vehicles among younger age groups, including:

• Environmental awareness and consideration of future generations
• Innovative and technology-oriented mindset
• Adaptability to change and openness to adopting new trends
• Government incentives and rebates for electric vehicle purchases

It is crucial for the electric vehicle industry to continue targeting these younger age groups in order to foster further growth and accelerate the transition towards sustainable transportation solutions.

Household Income Level

As household income increases, so too does the proportion of those who own electric cars.

This can limit their access to newer electric vehicles entering the market for the first time.

According to car ownership statistics, electric vehicle ownership increases with household income:

However, it is essential for electric vehicles to become more affordable and accessible for this segment of the population, so these benefits can be extended to drivers with varying income levels.

The rate of electric vehicle (EV) adoption among lower-income households remains low, until electric cars get cheaper.

Household Size

Influential factors such as household size play a significant role in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

Smaller households may have unique needs and preferences compared to larger households in terms of:

• driving range,
• vehicle type,
• and charging solutions.

Smaller households are generally more likely to adopt electric vehicles due to the lower total cost of ownership, as compared to conventional gasoline vehicles.

With fewer members in the household, the need for large, fuel-consuming vehicles is reduced, making electric vehicles a more attractive and affordable option.

Please note that these are estimated numbers as we couldn’t get a large sample group to make these numbers significantly accurate.

Geographical Distribution

The distribution of electric cars depends on various factors, including urban and rural settings and regional preferences.

The following subsections will discuss electric car sales per state and regional differences.

Electric Car Sales Per State

In the United States, electric vehicle (EV) sales differ among states. California leads with the highest number of EVs, accounting for approximately 39% of the nation’s total EV sales, followed by Florida and Texas.

The prevalence of EVs in these states can be attributed to supportive policies, charging infrastructure, and consumer preferences.

In the first quarter of 2021, global electric car sales rose by around 140% compared to the same period in 2020, driven by sales in China of approximately 500,000 vehicles and in Europe of around 450,000.

US sales more than doubled relative to the first quarter of 2020, albeit from a lower base.

Urban vs Rural

Urban areas tend to have a higher concentration of electric cars due to:

• the availability of charging infrastructure,
• government incentives,
• and higher environmental awareness.

Electric cars are well-suited for urban settings where short-distance travel is more common, and charging stations are more accessible.

In contrast, rural areas have a lower adoption of electric cars, primarily due to limited charging infrastructure and longer-distance travel requirements.

However, as charging stations’ distribution expands and vehicle range increases, electric car adoption rise in rural areas as well.

Regional Differences

There are noticeable regional differences in the adoption of electric cars across the globe.

Back in 2020, the global electric car stock reached 10 million, with a 43% increase over the previous year.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) constituted two-thirds of new electric car registrations and stock. China, with 4.5 million electric cars, has the largest fleet, followed by Europe and the United States.

Regional preferences for electric cars can be influenced by factors such as:

• local policies,
• fuel prices,
• and public transportation availability.

For example, Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, have embraced electric cars due to strong government support and incentives, while others remain more reliant on traditional combustion vehicles.

Oslo, Norway is one of first cities to completely ban sales of gas-driven vehicles.

Consumer Attitudes and Preferences

About 41% of Americans say that they are at least somewhat likely to consider an electric option for their next vehicle purchase.

Furthermore, a significant increase in EV sales worldwide has been observed, with an estimated 4-5 million global passenger plug-in EVs (PHEVs) sold per year in 2022-2024.

However, many consumers still express concerns regarding EVs, such as high upfront costs, limited driving range, and charging infrastructure availability. Manufacturers and policymakers must address these barriers to drive further adoption and market growth for electric vehicles.

Who Are Tesla’s Biggest Competitors In the U.S.?

In the U.S. electric vehicle market, there are various automakers striving to compete with Tesla’s dominance.

• General Motors: Labelled as Tesla’s biggest competitor, GM has plans to launch 30 new electric vehicles by 2025. Notably, the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are already available in the market, attracting a fair share of EV buyers.
• Ford: As Ford introduced the Mustang Mach-E, their all-electric crossover with positive reviews they’re quickly becoming Tesla’s main competitor.
• Volkswagen: As part of its ‘Electric for All’ strategy, Volkswagen has been launching multiple EV models, such as the ID.4 and the ID.3, to compete with Tesla and strengthen its position in the global EV market.

Apart from traditional automakers, new entrants like China-based companies NIO and XPeng are also competing in the U.S. electric vehicle market.

They offer innovative technologies and designs that have gained market attention:

• NIO: With its advanced EV lineup, NIO aims at premium market segments similar to Tesla. The ES8, ES6, and EC6 are some examples of NIO’s high-quality electric vehicles.
• XPeng: XPeng focuses on incorporating advanced autonomous driving technologies into its EVs. The P7 and G3 models showcase the company’s commitment to innovative solutions for sustainable transportation.

Thus, while Tesla continues to hold a large market share in the U.S., it faces formidable competition from both legacy automakers and emerging companies in the EV space.

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