Vermont ranks second highest state adopting electric vehicles

• Vermont ranks as the second-state most EV-friendly state in the U.S.
• California ranks as the state most likely to be the first to fully transition to electric
• The study analyzed the number of EVs registered, the number of EV charging outlets, and public desire to move toward EVs to rank the states leading the way

Vermont Business Magazine A new study by tire experts at Tires Easy analyzed each state’s number of electric vehicle (EV) registrations, charging points, state EV incentives, and eagerness to transition. 

With several states adopting zero-emission vehicle mandates and goals, the study produced an index based on the four aforementioned factors, revealing the states most likely to transition to EVs soonest.

Vermont ranks as the second most EV-friendly state in America behind California. 

In 2023, there were 7,816 registered EVs in the state, an equivalent of 1,207.17 per 100,000 residents, the ninth-highest rate nationwide.

In terms of EV charging, outlets are individual charging points, often installed at home, while stations are public facilities equipped with multiple charging points. Vermont was revealed to have proportionally the most of both types of charging facilities nationwide, with 186.27 outlets per 100,000 residents and 69.97 stations per 100,000 residents.

On top of this, Google Keyword Planner data indicates that Vermonters are the population most keen to move toward EVs. The study analyzed the frequency of searches for a range of terms suggesting interest in switching to an EV. Residents searched for these terms at the highest rate nationwide, clocking an average monthly rate of 843.57 searches per 100,000 residents. There are also four active EV state incentive schemes in the state, contributing to the total index score.

Vermont achieved a total index score of 85.91 out of 100, the second-highest score nationwide, ranking it among states most likely to become EV-exclusive first.

Table: States most likely to go EV-exclusive 

credit https://tires-easy.com

California ranks as the state most likely to make the switch to EVs the soonest. In 2023, there were 1.3 million registered EVs in California, the most nationwide by a margin of over 1 million. The state with the second-most registered EVs was Florida, with just over 250,000. These 1.3 million registered EVs equate to 3,225 per 100,000 Californians, which is also the highest proportional figure nationwide.

In terms of EV charging, California was revealed to have the most of both types of charging facilities nationwide, with approximately 56,800 outlets and 17,500 stations.

On top of this, Google Keyword Planner data indicates that Californians are among the most keen to move toward EVs. The study analyzed the frequency of searches for a range of terms suggesting interest in switching to an EV. Californians searched for these terms at the second-highest rate nationwide, clocking an average monthly rate of 698.59 searches per 100,000 residents. There are also a total of 11 active EV state incentive schemes in the state, the most nationwide, contributing to the total index score.

California achieved a total index score of 90.66 out of 100, the highest score nationwide, ranking it as the state most likely to become EV-exclusive first.

The state in third, Washington, has the second-highest number of registered EVs per capita, with 1,946.80 per 100,000 residents. Washington ranks tenth and ninth, respectively, for the number of EV charging outlets and charging stations per capita. Washingtonians showed the third-highest level of interest in EVs, searching the analyzed terms on Google at a monthly rate of 674.12 per 100,000. Washington currently has seven EV incentive schemes and scored a total index score of 75.48 out of 100.

In fourth, Colorado ranks consistently in the top five for all factors. The state has the fourth most registered EVs per capita, the fourth most charging stations nationwide, and carries out searches regarding EVs at the fourth-highest rate. Colorado also has the fifth-most EV charging outlets per capita, and there are five EV incentive schemes active in the state. Colorado’s total index score comes to 72.49.

Oregon completes the top five states. There were 1,520.33 registered EVs in the state in 2023, and its residents searched for terms about moving to an EV at a monthly rate of 567.63 per 100,000. With five EV incentive schemes active in the state, Oregon gained a total index score of 69.15.

In sixth place, Massachusetts had a total index score of 66.46 and interestingly has the third-highest number of charging outlets per capita and the second-highest number of charging stations per capita, at 123.85 and 49.66 per 100,000 residents, respectively.

Maryland ranks seventh with an index score of 63.92. Its population was also the seventh-most keen on moving to an EV, searching the analyzed terms on Google at an average rate of 513.37 per 100,000 residents. Connecticut follows in eighth with a total index score of 61.29 while possessing the fourth highest rate of EV charging outlets per capita nationwide, at 109.51 per 100,000.

In ninth place, Nevada has just one active EV incentive scheme and a total index score of 60.31. However, its residents rank fifth-most interested in EVs, searching the analyzed Google terms at a monthly average rate of 587.26 per 100,000. Utah ranks as the tenth state most likely to go EV-exclusive first, with a total index score of 59.88 out of 100.

Gary Davis of Tires Easy commented on the findings: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies that transportation accounts for around 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in America, making it the largest sector contributing to emissions. On average, driving an EV produces 50-70% fewer emissions than a gasoline-powered car.

“A transition toward electric vehicles could significantly reduce emissions across the country, and with EVs being somewhat divisive, it’s interesting to see which states are most likely to make the transition the soonest.”

Methodology: A total of 5 factors were used to compile the index. The raw data for each factor was cleaned, checked, and standardized on the same scale from 0 to 10, where 0 and 10 represent the worst and best values present in the data, to allow for accurate comparison between factors. A weighting was then assigned to each factor reflecting its importance within the analysis. The factors, their source, and their percentage weightings are as follows:

• EV registrations (2023) per 100,000 population - 22.22% weighting
• Active EV state incentives (2024) - 11.11% weighting
• Electric charging outlets (2024) per 100,000 population - 22.22% weighting
• Electric stations (2024) per 100,000 population - 22.22% weighting
• Average monthly search volume (11/2023 - 09/2024) per 100,000 population - 22.22% weighting

Once the weightings were assigned, the total score for the factors was calculated, producing an overall index score out of 100 for each, upon which the final ranking is based.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, Google Keyword Planner

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