Electric vehicles are growing in popularity in many parts of the United States, but adoption rates tell a fascinating story of regional differences. While some states have enthusiastically embraced battery-powered transportation, others are taking a slower approach to the EV revolution.
The reasons behind these disparities are as varied as the landscapes themselves, ranging from limited charging infrastructure and extreme weather conditions to cultural preferences and political considerations. Understanding which states have the lowest EV adoption rates provides insight into the complex challenges facing widespread EV adoption.
Here’s a look at the bottom states where EVs have been the slowest to catch on, and what keeps drivers loyal to their gas-powered rides. BEV per 1,000 people” is calculated using DOE/AFDC state BEV records (as of December 31, 2023) divided by US Census state population estimates multiplied by 1,000.
Mississippi: ~1.1 BEV per 1,000 people
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The Magnolia State holds the distinction of having the lowest electric vehicle adoption rate in the country, and it’s not hard to see why when you consider the landscape.
With vast rural stretches between cities and some of the longest average commuting distances in the region, anxiety becomes a real concern rather than a mere talking point. Mississippi’s charging infrastructure remains in its infancy, with many counties having few or no public charging stations. The state’s hot and humid summers also present challenges to battery performance and efficiency.
For a state where pickup trucks reign supreme and practicality often trumps novelty, the traditional internal combustion engine continues to make the most sense for most drivers’ daily needs.
North Dakota: ~1.1–1.3 BEV per 1,000 people
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North Dakota’s brutal winters and sprawling geography create a perfect storm of challenges for EV adoption.
When temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, battery life can drop 30-40%, turning a 250-mile range into something considerably less comforting on remote prairie highways. The state’s economy is heavily tied to oil production, which naturally influences both the political climate and consumer preferences for traditional vehicles. Charging infrastructure is sparse outside of big cities like Fargo and Bismarck, making long-distance travel a real concern.
For North Dakotans who need vehicles that start reliably in minus twenty degrees and can handle whatever the elements throw at them, sticking with proven technology makes practical sense.
West Virginia: ~1.5–2.0 BEV per 1,000 people
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The Mountain State’s relationship with fossil fuels runs deep, from its coal mining heritage to its continuing economic ties to energy production.
West Virginia’s challenging terrain of steep hills and twisting mountain roads can be difficult for the range of electric vehicles, especially when the heating or air conditioning is on full blast. The state’s rural nature means many residents live far from the nearest charging stations, and the upfront cost of electric vehicles remains a significant barrier in a lower-middle-income state. Pickup trucks and SUVs dominate the roads here for good reason—they handle the terrain and serve the practical needs of residents who often need serious hauling and towing capacity.
While some urban areas are starting to see the development of charging infrastructure, the state as a whole remains firmly in traditional vehicle territory.
Arkansas: ~2.0–2.5 BEV per 1,000 people
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Arkansas drivers have taken their time warming up to electric vehicles, and geography plays a significant role in that hesitancy.
The natural state’s combination of rural communities and small towns means many residents face long distances between destinations, with limited charging options along the way. Hot and humid summers have placed additional demand on vehicle cooling systems, having a greater impact on range than drivers in temperate climates might experience. The state’s strong truck culture, driven by both agricultural and outdoor recreation needs, hasn’t found many electric vehicle options that meet the towing and payload requirements that locals need.
Cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville are seeing incremental infrastructure improvements, but most of the state remains better suited to conventional vehicles that can fill up at any of the many gas stations that dot the highways.
Louisiana: ~2.0–2.5 BEV per 1,000 people
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Louisiana’s unique challenges to electric vehicle adoption go beyond the obvious influence of the oil and gas industry that shapes the state’s economy and culture.
The state’s vulnerability to hurricanes and flooding creates legitimate concerns about vehicle evacuation capacity — when you need to get hundreds of thousands of people on the road quickly, waiting hours for a charge isn’t an option. The hot and humid climate puts a strain on air conditioning systems, reducing range just when you need it most. Charging infrastructure outside of New Orleans and Baton Rouge remains limited, particularly in rural areas and coastal communities where many residents live.
For a state where powerful trucks and SUVs serve both practical and cultural purposes, and where the energy sector provides countless jobs, traditional vehicles continue to dominate the roads by a wide margin.
Alabama: ~2.5 BEV per 1,000 people
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The heart of Dixie has been slow to embrace electric vehicles, despite being home to several auto manufacturing plants.
Alabama’s vast rural areas and long distances between cities make range a practical concern, especially with charging stations concentrated primarily in urban corridors. The state’s hot summers mean the air conditioning is constantly running, taking a noticeable bite out of the driving range. There is also a strong trucking culture here, which serves real purposes – from transporting boats on abundant lakes and rivers to supporting the state’s agricultural sector.
Much of the state lacks the convenient access to fast charging that would make owning an electric vehicle practical for the average driver’s daily needs and routines. However, some cities, such as Birmingham and Huntsville, are seeing a gradual increase in infrastructure.
South Dakota: ~2.5–3.0 BEV per 1,000 people
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South Dakota’s wide open spaces and extreme temperature swings present real challenges to electric vehicle adoption.
When winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing and summer heat rises, battery performance varies significantly from the ideal conditions under which range estimates are calculated. The state’s rural nature means many residents travel considerable distances for work, shopping and services, often without charging infrastructure along their routes. Drivers in the Mount Rushmore State need vehicles they can count on in all conditions, and for many, that means sticking with the proven reliability of internal combustion engines.
While Sioux Falls and Rapid City are starting to see more charging options, the vast majority of the state remains better suited to vehicles that can quickly fill up at the many gas stations that dot even the most remote highways.
Wyoming: ~2.5–3.0 BEV per 1,000 people
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Wyoming’s combination of extreme weather, long distances, and sparse population create perhaps the most challenging environment for electric vehicle adoption in the continental United States.
Brutal Cowboy State winters can see temperatures drop to dangerous levels, severely impacting battery performance when you need your vehicle most. With an average of just six people per square mile, charging infrastructure is sparse, and some destinations are truly remote enough to challenge even the longest-range electric vehicles. Wyoming’s economy is deeply tied to energy production, particularly coal, oil, and natural gas, which influences both politics and consumer preferences.
For residents who might drive an hour just to get to the nearest grocery store, often in severe weather, traditional vehicles offer the reliability and range that electric alternatives have yet to match.
Kentucky: ~3.0 BEV per 1,000 people
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The Bluegrass State’s slower adoption of electric vehicles reflects a combination of practical and cultural factors that keep residents committed to conventional vehicles.
Kentucky’s economy has strong ties to both coal production and automobile production of traditional vehicles, creating a natural preference for internal combustion technology. The state’s combination of hills and rural communities means many drivers face longer commutes with limited charging infrastructure outside of Louisville and Lexington. Pickup trucks are extremely popular here, serving real needs from farm work to hauling horse trailers, and the EV truck market is just starting to offer options.
While the state is seeing incremental infrastructure development along major corridors, most Kentuckians feel traditional vehicles better serve their transportation needs and budget constraints.
Conclusion
Image credit: Acroterion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.
States with the lowest EV adoption rates share common challenges that extend far beyond simple resistance to new technologies. Infrastructure gaps, extreme weather conditions, rural geography and economic ties to traditional energy sectors all play a legitimate role in shaping consumer choices.
These regional differences highlight an important reality—the transition to electric vehicles is not unique, and what works in California or Washington may not translate directly to Mississippi or Wyoming.
As charging networks expand, battery technology improves for extreme conditions, and more EV options enter the market, these adoption gaps may narrow, but each state’s unique needs and circumstances will likely continue to influence the pace of change in the years ahead.