EV Buyer Consideration Shifts

Driving range has been a top concern for consumers when considering purchasing an electric vehicle, but new survey results show a gap between what consumers want versus what they need on a daily basis.

According to the 2026 BMW Group U.S. survey of consumer attitudes toward EVs, 42% of respondents said they want a minimum driving range of 300-plus miles. But when asked for the range they need for daily driving, 73% said either 25, 50 or 75 miles.

BMW said that shows consumers “place significant value on total vehicle range even though their everyday driving needs are well within the capabilities of today’s electric vehicles.”

The survey also found that, especially among younger buyers, faster charging increases buying consideration. Fifty-three percent said that an EV capable of adding about 150 miles of driving range during a 10-minute fast-charging stop increased their consideration. That motivator was the highest among Generation Z buyers at 70%, millennials closely behind at 65%. Fast charging had the lowest impact on baby boomers at 30%.

Fifty-one percent of survey respondents cited purchase price as the greatest barrier to EV ownership, followed by concerns about battery longevity or replacement cost, charging time, driving range, public charging availability, and access to convenient home charging. Fifty-five said they would consider a certified preowned or used EV “if it provided sufficient savings.”

Of the 68% of Americans surveyed who said they would consider an EV, the No. 1 reason was lower ownership and operating costs. Other cited areas of importance included better performance or driving characteristics, newer or more advanced technology, and environmental benefits.