America's electric-car boom leaves renters behind
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Homeowners were nearly twice as likely as renters to have an electric vehicle in 2025, new Census data show, revealing a striking divide in America's shift to electric cars.
Why it matters: Homeownership is just one factor in EV adoption, but reliable access to charging is critical — giving homeowners with private driveways or garages an advantage over renters, particularly those in multifamily buildings.
By the numbers: About 7.3 million U.S. households — 5.5% of the nation's 134 million — reported having at least one EV, according to the 2025 American Community Survey released Thursday.
- Homeowners reported EVs at a rate of 6.4%, compared with 3.6% of renters.
- California led the nation at 13.8% overall, more than twice the national rate.
- North Dakota (1.3%), Wyoming (1.6%) and Louisiana (1.6%) ranked among the lowest.
State of play: For the first time, the Census Bureau asked households with vehicles kept at home whether they owned or leased an EV, offering a nationwide snapshot of who has gone electric.
- The figures cover fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Our thought bubble: Many factors, including local government policies, can influence EV adoption rates, but ultimately, it comes down to affordability and access to charging, says Axios Transportation Correspondent Joann Muller.
- Homeowners with higher incomes are more likely to afford EVs, sometimes as a second car.
The intrigue: A 2026 study by researchers at the University of Vermont and University of California, Davis, found higher home-charger installation costs at rental properties in Burlington, Vermont.
- Renters were also less likely to adopt fully electric vehicles, even after researchers accounted for home values and vehicle preferences.
Zoom in: Even California, the nation's EV leader, has a sharp homeowner-renter divide, new Census data show.
- About 17.7% of homeowners reported an EV, compared with 8.9% of renters.
- Santa Clara County, home to much of Silicon Valley, led the nation at 24.1% of households — roughly 163,000 households.
Zoom out: Washington (8.9%), Hawaii (8.5%) and Nevada (8.2%) ranked among the leading states.
- Outside California, Boulder County, Colorado, and Loudoun County, Virginia, each recorded 13.9%.
Yes, but: California renters reported EVs at a higher rate than homeowners nationwide.
- The Census figures don't track charging access or explain why households choose EVs.
- With only one year of data, they also can't tell us whether the homeowner-renter gap has grown.
