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More Americans than ever are now looking to buy an electric vehicle. A new poll says that four in 10 Americans now think that their next car will be electrified. While that’s not a majority, it looks like the success of the Tesla Model 3, the Tesla Model S and Chevy’s new Bolt EV are changing the minds of many.

But, as the poll shows, electric cars still have a ways to go.

Only 8% of cars on today’s roads are EVs

A bright blue Tesla Model S Plaid displays its profile on a test track.
Tesla Model S Plaid | Tesla

According to CBS News, which shared a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, 8% of respondents said they own or lease an electric. Similarly, about 8% also said they have an electric car charger in their home. That correlation is no surprise as one of the top limiting factors people cited in the poll includes access to a charger.

However, that means an additional 32% of Americans now think their next vehicle will be an electric vehicle, charger or not. According to the poll, 9% say they’re extremely likely and 10% say very likely that their next car will be fully electric.

EVs have a way to go before most will buy one

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEVs plugged into a solar panel charging station
An electric Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Wrangler 4xe | FCA

While the poll shows that many are now considering an electric car, it still shows that electric cars still have a way to go before they win the hearts and minds of most Americans. Even with federal tax credits that can reduce the price of an EV by $7,500, many say that electrics don’t meet their needs.

The main gripes, according to the poll, include concerns that there aren’t enough charging stations, that electric battery tech isn’t advanced enough yet, and crucially that they’re too expensive. While there are some lower-priced EV cars, like the Chevy Bolt EV and the Nissan Leaf, most EVs cost significantly more than gas-powered equivalents.

Interestingly, in the poll, 20% of Americans said they won’t consider an EV because it doesn’t line up with their personal values.  

What are the best-selling selling EV cars?

A white 2023 Tesla Model 3 poses in a dark studio.
Tesla Model 3 | Tesla

The Tesla Model Y SUV is the best-selling EV overall. But, according to Electrek, which covers electric vehicles, The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling electric car on the market. It’s selling so well, in fact, that it’s the second-best-selling car in the U.S. right now, and it’s not too far behind the Toyota Camry in sales for 2022.

The Mustang Mach-E is next on the list. It’s kind of like a Ford Mustang, but it’s more of an SUV, much like the Model Y. The Tesla Model S sedan comes next, which is a bit of a surprise because its starting price is a staggering $109,000. But it’s fast, comfortable, and can be outfitted with a plethora of options that make it feel like a spaceship on wheels, including some “self-driving” modes or the ultra-quick Plaid option.

The humble Chevy Bolt is the fifth-best-selling EV. It’s inexpensive in EV trim, with a starting price just north of $25,000.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.