We take a look at trends and data in ten states that are at the forefront of the electric vehicle transition.

• California maintains its commanding lead with over 1.3 million EVs on the road.
• Washington has the highest per capita adoption rate of any state, except California.
• New York and New Jersey are rapidly expanding their charging networks.
• Oregon continues its legacy of environmental leadership with strong EV policies.
• Arizona and Florida show that EVs aren't just for cooler climates.
• Texas combines oil industry heritage with a growing EV manufacturing presence.
• Vermont demonstrates that small states can achieve big EV adoption rates - even if it takes a while to gain momentum.

Scroll down to read about statewide investments and incentives.

EV Registrations in Leading States

EV Registrations (Dec. 31, 2023)
U.S. National Total: 3.56 million (U.S. Department of Energy)

• California: 1,256,646
• Florida: 254,878
• Texas: 230,125
• Washington: 152,101
• New Jersey: 134,753
• New York: 131,250
• Illinois: 99,573
• Georgia: 92,368
• Colorado: 90,083
• Arizona: 89,798
• Oregon: 64,361
• Vermont: 7,816 (17,939 as of January 2025)

Since this data skews towards bigger states, the per capita list of EV registrations for states with more than 10% is:

• California: 26.8%
• Colorado: 25.5%
• Washington: 24.6%
• District of Columbia: 20.4%
• Oregon: 17.0%
• New Jersey: 15.6%
• Hawaii: 14.1%
• Vermont: 13.7%
• Maryland: 13.2%
• Nevada: 13.1%
• Massachusetts: 12.3%
• Delaware: 11.9%
• Connecticut: 11.2%
• Virginia: 10.1%

Note that these numbers are also based on 2023 data.

EV Adoption Rates in Leading States

Percentage of EVs Among All Registered Vehicles (Q4 2023)
U.S. National Average: 1.12% (U.S. Department of Energy)

• California: 4.28%
• Washington: 2.67%
• Vermont: 2.41%
• Oregon: 2.26%
• New Jersey: 1.95%
• Arizona: 1.61%
• Florida: 1.51%
• New York: 1.31%
• Illinois: 0.89%
• Texas: 0.82%

New EV Sales in Leading States

Percentage of New Vehicle Sales That Are EVs (Q3 2024)
U.S. National Average: 10.6% (Alliance for Automotive Innovation)

• California: 26.8%
• Washington: 24.6%
• Oregon: 17.0%
• New Jersey: 15.6%
• Vermont: 13.7%
• New York: 9.8%
• Arizona: 9.3%
• Illinois: 7.5%
• Florida: 9.7%
• Texas: 6.8%

Charging Infrastructure by State

Public Charging Ports (Level 2 and DC Fast Charge)
U.S. National Total: 208,562 ports at 72,906 stations (U.S. Department of Energy, October 2024)

• California: 52,192 ports
• New York: 16,951 ports
• Texas: 11,180 ports
• Florida: 11,940 ports
• Washington: 6,986 ports
• Illinois: 4,445 ports
• Georgia: 6,152 ports
• Colorado: 6,216 ports
• New Jersey: 4,940 ports
• Arizona: 4,260 ports
• Oregon: 3,841 ports
• Vermont: 1,191 ports

EVs Per Charging Port
U.S. National Average: 17 EVs per public charging port

• California: 24 EVs per port
• Florida: 21 EVs per port
• Texas: 20 EVs per port
• New Jersey: 27 EVs per port
• Washington: 21 EVs per port
• New York: 7 EVs per port
• Arizona: 21 EVs per port
• Illinois: 22 EVs per port
• Georgia: 15 EVs per port
• Colorado: 14 EVs per port
• Oregon: 16 EVs per port
• Vermont: 6 EVs per port

Climate Considerations

Average High and Low Temperatures (Annual)

• Washington: High 56°F (97-99% range), Low 39°F (83-88% range)
• California: High 70°F (max range), Low 48°F (92-97% range; varies greatly by region)
• New York: High 55°F (97-99% range), Low 39°F (83-88% range)
• New Jersey: High 62°F (99 - 100% range), Low 46°F (90-95% range)
• Oregon: High 58°F (97-99% range), Low 38°F (83-88% range)
• Arizona: High 74°F (99% range), Low 48°F (92-97% range)
• Florida: High 81°F (95-97% range), Low 63°F (99 - 100% range)
• Illinois: High 62°F (99 - 100% range), Low 45°F (90-95% range)
• Texas: High 77°F (97-98% range), Low 56°F (97-99% range; varies by region)
• Vermont: High 52°F, (93-98% range) Low 36°F (80-86% range)

EV Registration Fees and Purchase Incentives

Annual EV Registration Fees (Additional)

• Washington: $150 annually, plus $75 transportation electrification fee
• California: $100 annually (plus standard registration)
• New York: No additional fee
• New Jersey: $250, increasing $10 annually until 2028
• Oregon: $115 annually (plus $43 registration fee)
• Arizona: $30 annually (road usage fee)
• Florida: No additional fee
• Illinois: $100 annually
• Texas: $400 for a new EV, $200 annually (not $0 as incorrectly stated)
• Vermont: $89 annually

State-Level Purchase Incentives

• Washington: Up to $9,000 rebate for low-income residents
• California: Up to $7,500 through the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program
• New York: Up to $2,000 Drive Clean rebate
• New Jersey: Up to $4,000 Charge Up rebate
• Oregon: Up to $7,500 Clean Vehicle Rebate
• Arizona: No state-level incentive
• Florida: No state-level incentive
• Illinois: Up to $4,000 EV rebate
• Texas: No state-level incentive
• Vermont: Up to $4,000 state incentive ($5,000 for low-income)

Fuel Cost Savings

Another interesting tidbit? Based on gas and electricity prices, some states make it way more cost effective to drive an EV!

EV Manufacturing and Economic Impact

Major EV Manufacturing Facilities and Jobs (Including EV-Adjacent Industries)

• Washington: Eviation Aircraft (electric aviation) in Arlington; Energy Northwest's battery storage projects; Puget Sound Energy's grid modernization supporting 500+ jobs
  
  
• California: Tesla Fremont factory (10,000+ jobs); Proterra electric bus manufacturing in City of Industry; Romeo Power battery production in Los Angeles; Redwood Materials battery recycling facility under development in Northern California; ChargePoint headquarters and operations employing 1,500+
  
  
• New York: Microvast battery manufacturing in Oneonta (450+ jobs); Plug Power hydrogen facility (68 jobs); Li-Cycle battery recycling hub in Rochester (100+ jobs); Hyzon Motors fuel cell vehicle facility in Rochester
  
  
• New Jersey: Princeton NuEnergy battery recycling R&D center; Charge America EV charging equipment manufacturing; EVgo technical operations center supporting East Coast charging infrastructure
  
  
• Oregon: Daimler truck electrification (400+ jobs); ESS Inc. grid-scale battery production employing 200+; Arcimoto electric vehicle manufacturing in Eugene (150+ jobs)
  
  
• Arizona: Lucid Motors plant (2,000+ jobs); Nikola hydrogen truck manufacturing in Coolidge (500+ jobs); LG Energy Solution battery manufacturing plant under construction in Queen Creek (2,800 planned jobs); ElectraMeccanica electric vehicle facility in Mesa
  
  
• Florida: Cenntro Electric Group manufacturing facility in Jacksonville; Lyten battery materials R&D center; Tritium DC fast charger manufacturing facilitating infrastructure expansion
  
  
• Illinois: Rivian factory (5,000+ jobs); Lion Electric commercial EV manufacturing in Joliet (745 jobs); Gotion battery manufacturing project under development in Manteno (2,600 planned jobs); Invenergy grid-scale battery storage projects
  
  
• Texas: Tesla Gigafactory (10,000+ jobs); Infinitum Electric motor manufacturing in Round Rock; KORE Power battery cell production in Corpus Christi (under development); SK Battery America facility planned in Plano; Applied Materials semiconductor manufacturing supporting EV components
  
  
• Vermont: Beta Technologies electric aircraft development in Burlington (400+ jobs); Green Mountain Power battery storage projects; REV Renewables grid infrastructure supporting EV charging capacity
  
  

State-by-State Analysis

California

California remains the undisputed leader in EV adoption with over 1.3 million electric vehicles on its roads. The state's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program has set ambitious targets, requiring 100% of new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be emission-free by 2035. The California Air Resources Board offers grants for up to $7,500 through its Clean Vehicle Assistance Program, supplementing federal incentives.

With over 50,000 public charging ports, California maintains the nation's most extensive charging network, though the EV-to-charger ratio suggests continued infrastructure expansion is needed. The state's mild climate in many regions benefits battery performance, though extreme heat in inland areas can present challenges.

California's manufacturing presence includes Tesla's Fremont factory and numerous EV startups, creating a robust ecosystem of innovation and production. The state's commitment to addressing climate change through transportation electrification remains unmatched, with continued investment in charging infrastructure through the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP).

Washington

Washington has emerged as a per capita leader in EV adoption, with electric vehicles accounting for 2.67% of all registered vehicles – second only to California. The state's commitment to clean energy (nearly 60% of electricity comes from hydropower) makes EVs a particularly low-carbon option for residents.

The state recently introduced an innovative incentive program offering up to $9,000 for low-income residents to lease or purchase new EVs. Washington's infrastructure is rapidly expanding, with almost 7,000 public charging ports available statewide.

However, Washington has implemented one of the highest additional registration fees for EVs at $225 annually, designed to replace lost gas tax revenue. Despite its northern latitude, Washington's temperate climate along the coast is conducive to EV operation, though eastern parts of the state experience more extreme temperatures.

New York

New York's "Make Ready" program aims to deploy more than 50,000 charging stations by 2025, representing a major infrastructure commitment. The state's EV registrations continue to climb, particularly in the New York City metropolitan area, where charging infrastructure is increasingly available in parking garages and public lots.

The Drive Clean rebate program offers up to $2,000 for EV purchases, and the state does not impose additional registration fees on electric vehicles. New York's colder winters can impact EV range, but the state's focus on urban mobility makes shorter-range trips common.

Governor Kathy Hochul has committed to following California's lead in requiring all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035, cementing New York's position as an EV leader on the East Coast.

New Jersey

New Jersey has emerged as a strong EV market, with adoption rates nearly double the national average. The state's Charge Up New Jersey program offers up to $4,000 toward the purchase or lease of new electric vehicles, with no additional registration fees imposed on EV owners.

The state's location along major transportation corridors has helped drive infrastructure development, with nearly 3,700 public charging ports available. New Jersey's commitment includes goals for 330,000 registered light-duty EVs by 2025 and installation of 400 DC fast chargers along major highways.

New Jersey's moderate climate year-round makes it well-suited for EV operation, though winter temperatures can temporarily reduce range. Despite limited manufacturing presence, the state's strong incentives and growing infrastructure make it a notable EV success story in the Northeast.

Oregon

Oregon continues its environmental leadership with robust EV adoption, boasting the fourth-highest percentage of electric vehicles among registered cars nationwide. The state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers standard rebates up to $2,500, with additional "Charge Ahead" rebates of up to $5,000 for low and moderate-income households.

Oregon has established a target for 90% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2035. The state's 3,200+ charging ports provide solid infrastructure, particularly along the more populous western corridor. Oregon's moderate climate is generally EV-friendly, though mountainous areas can present range challenges in winter.

Despite the additional $115 annual registration fee, Oregon remains a stronghold for EV enthusiasm, driven by environmental consciousness and supportive state policies.

Arizona

Arizona has emerged as a surprising EV leader, particularly in the Phoenix metropolitan area, where the market share of electric vehicles has grown substantially. The state's warm climate creates ideal conditions for battery performance most of the year, though extreme summer temperatures can impact range and charging speeds.

With more than 3,300 public charging ports and minimal additional fees for EV registration ($30 annually), Arizona presents an attractive environment for electric vehicle owners. The presence of Lucid Motors' manufacturing facility in Casa Grande has added over 2,000 jobs and brought attention to the state's growing EV ecosystem.

While Arizona offers no state-level purchase incentives, its growing charging network and expanding vehicle selection have helped drive adoption. The state's participation in the Regional Electric Vehicle Plan for the West (REV West) demonstrates commitment to creating EV-friendly interstate corridors.

Florida

Florida claims the second-highest total number of registered EVs in the nation, with over 258,000 electric vehicles on its roads. The state's flat terrain and generally mild winters create favorable conditions for electric vehicles, though hurricane evacuation scenarios have raised questions about charging infrastructure resilience.

Despite having no state-level purchase incentives and limited policy support, Florida's EV market continues to grow, particularly in urban areas like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. The state boasts nearly 9,000 public charging ports, many concentrated in these metropolitan regions.

Florida utilities have increasingly supported charging infrastructure development, with programs like Duke Energy's Park & Plug initiative and Florida Power & Light's EVolution program adding hundreds of new charging stations. The lack of additional registration fees makes Florida financially attractive for EV owners compared to states with significant added annual costs.

Illinois

Illinois has established itself as a Midwest EV leader, with significant manufacturing presence through Rivian's Normal production facility, which employs over 5,000 people. The state's EV rebate program offers up to $4,000 toward the purchase of electric vehicles, though the high annual registration fee of $251 offsets some of this financial benefit.

With more than 5,100 public charging ports, Illinois has built substantial infrastructure, particularly around Chicago and along major interstate corridors. The state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act includes provisions to put 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030.

Illinois experiences significant seasonal temperature variations that can impact EV performance, with cold winters potentially reducing range by 20-30%. Despite these challenges, the state's strong incentives and manufacturing presence continue to drive adoption.

Texas

Texas presents a study in contrast as a traditional oil and gas state that now hosts Tesla's massive Gigafactory near Austin, employing over 10,000 people. The state's 231,977 registered EVs place it third nationally in total volume, though its percentage of electrified vehicles remains below the national average.

With more than 9,500 public charging ports, Texas has developed substantial infrastructure, particularly in the "Texas Triangle" connecting Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin-San Antonio. The state imposes no additional registration fees on EVs, though it also offers no state-level purchase incentives.

Texas's electrical grid challenges, highlighted by the 2021 winter storm failure, have raised questions about infrastructure resilience. However, the expansion of renewable energy in the state (Texas leads the nation in wind power production) creates opportunities for increasingly clean EV charging.

Vermont

Vermont demonstrates that small states can achieve impressive EV adoption rates, with electric vehicles representing 2.41% of all registered vehicles – the third-highest percentage nationally. The state's comprehensive incentive program offers up to $4,000 for new EV purchases, with additional incentives of up to $5,000 for low-income residents.

Despite having only 1,123 public charging ports, Vermont boasts the best EV-to-charger ratio in our analysis at just 5 vehicles per port. The state's cold climate presents range challenges during winter months, but strong policy support has overcome these potential barriers.

Vermont's additional annual registration fee of $140 for EVs helps fund infrastructure development. The state's participation in the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) demonstrates its regional leadership in reducing transportation emissions.

Methodology

Data for this article was compiled from sources including the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, state Departments of Motor Vehicles, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Climate data comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Registration figures and market share data are current as of October 2024.

Final Thoughts

The landscape of EV adoption across America reveals both expected patterns and surprising success stories. While coastal technology hubs like California and Washington lead in raw numbers and percentage adoption, states like Vermont and Oregon demonstrate how strong policy support can drive electrification regardless of size or climate challenges.

As infrastructure investment continues to deploy charging stations nationwide and manufacturers expand electric model offerings, these ten leading states provide valuable case studies in what works—and what challenges remain—on the road to transportation electrification.