US Electric Vehicle Buyer Decisions Survey Results From Experian

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Last Updated on: 19th May 2025, 11:23 am

Experian is well known in the US for its credit bureau services, but that is not all it does. Recently it conducted an online survey of 2,005 American adults to learn about some of their views pertaining to electric vehicles. Kirsten Von Busch, Experian’s Director of Product Marketing for Automotive, wrote a blog post on the Experian site about the survey results. She also answered some questions about the survey for CleanTechnica.

65% of respondents said they prioritize battery life. Just to be clear, does that mean how long the battery will last before it needs to be replaced? (To some, it could mean how long the battery lasts on a full charge in time, not only in miles.)

The intent behind the question was battery life prior to replacement; however, some respondents may have interpreted the question to reflect the battery charge.

58% said they are focused on range and 62% are more focused on price. Is that because there are more affordable EVs now?

While there are more affordable EVs on the market, incentives and tax credits have also played a role in consumers’ piqued interest in alternative fuel types. However, range anxiety remains a persistent barrier for EV adoption as consumers are looking for assurance that their vehicle can make it for a longer duration without the need to charge it. 

55% of respondents said they’d consider a new hybrid and 50% said they’d consider a new EV for their next vehicle purchase. Has the percentage of people who say they would consider a new EV ever been that high?

Since this is the first time we’ve conducted the survey, we don’t have a baseline. However, EVs are becoming more accessible as more affordable and diverse models are being introduced, making them more appealing to a wider range of consumers and their lifestyles. According to Experian’s 2024 EV Year in Review, new retail registrations for EVs climbed to 9.2% in 2024, up from just over 8% in 2023 and slightly more than 6% in 2022.

38% of respondents said they’d consider a used EV and 42% would consider a used hybrid. That’s pretty close. What is driving that parity?  

While some shoppers are becoming more inclined to explore used EVs, others are still skeptical. That’s why we continue to see consumers leaning towards used hybrids; they offer similar benefits, while empowering consumers to still use a gas option, if needed.

53% are focused on infrastructure and maintenance. Infrastructure means availability of functioning, reliable, public EV chargers. Any ideas what exactly the concern about maintenance is when EVs typically have less than gas-powered vehicles?

The expectations for maintenance on EVs are still fairly new to many buyers, particularly with the battery, which can be costly to replace. While EVs generally have fewer moving parts and require less routine services such as oil changes, it will likely require specialized technicians and parts. This can potentially lead to hesitation for those who are only familiar with traditional maintenance on their gas-powered vehicles.

67% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennials are likely to buy a new EV, while 62% and 63% of these groups, respectively, expressed similar intentions for purchasing a new hybrid. Is this because the younger adults are generally more tech savvy and open-minded about technology, or they care more about the environment, or both?

Lifestyle and commute tend to play a role in consumers’ purchasing behaviors. With younger generations, particularly Gen Zers, beginning their careers, there may be more of an interest in saving on fuel costs. Many younger drivers also tend to be more interested in the latest technology.

Two-in-five of Gen X respondents said they’re likely to purchase a new EV, and only 25% of Baby Boomers shared a similar sentiment. Why did the Boomers lag this much?

Anecdotally we hear that consumers are generally concerned with range anxiety and battery life related to EVs, and that seems to be a trend among Baby Boomers. Based on the survey, Baby Boomers over-indexed on the importance of battery life, range on a full charge, and access to charging stations, meanwhile, Gen Xers were a bit closer to the national averages.