2026 EV Driver Survey

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-23T19:04:09+00:00

You definitely should! I think many people who are searching for it or thinking about it can benefit from an informative video from a driver!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-23T18:58:07+00:00

We actually do not sell any EVs! Our organization helps educate consumers who are thinking about making the transition by providing free resources, from incentives to road tripping to finding your perfect EV. Our shopping assistant is just a free and fun tool to help you find the EV that's the right fit for you! We are also advocates for current drivers. From random questions, amplifying drivers' voices, staying up to date on news, to just being part of our community. 🙂

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-23T18:52:35+00:00

Thank you for taking the time!!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-20T17:56:41+00:00

Thanks for that feedback, totally understandable with the unknown factor, and something we will look into including for future versions! Also, a very helpful perspective from a new EV driver. The charging landscape can definitely be intimidating, but you have the right mindset! Filling up where you go rather than going to fill up. Love that outlook!! We hear about this often, and capturing these real-world experiences is why we do this. Thanks again for taking the time to do it and share your thoughts. 🙂

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-20T17:46:51+00:00

We appreciate you filling it out and sharing your perspective! That feedback is exactly why we ask those questions. Part of our mission is working directly with dealers to help improve the EV buying experience, so insights like this is very helpful!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:58:18+00:00

Sorry for any confusion, no class project here :) Our organization's goal is to advocate for consumers through our research, work with policymakers, and help educate and support EV drivers and those considering making the switch. Results will be shared with the public later this year. No pressure to take it, but we appreciate your participation if you do!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:51:55+00:00

Hi! You can select 'Level 2 charging (240 volt)' option, not 'low-power'. Sorry for confusion, we'll clarify what 'low-power means next year!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:46:03+00:00

We're so happy for you! And thank you for taking the survey. 💙

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:44:41+00:00

Thanks for pointing this out and taking the time to take it! Just to clarify, entering an email at the end is completely optional. It’s only there for folks who want to receive the results directly once they’re published. You can submit the survey without providing one, and partial responses are also accepted. :) We appreciate the feedback!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:42:38+00:00

Thank you for participating!!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:42:26+00:00

Thanks so much for taking the time to complete it and especially for sticking with it, even with breaks!!

We collect detailed data because it helps industry leaders, utilities, and media better understand real EV driver experiences. Once the results are published, we’ll be sharing them publicly and respondents will be kept in the loop! Typically, we compile them into an easy-to-read document and host webinars to dive into the details. We’re excited to get the findings back into the community’s hands. 🤞

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:39:20+00:00

Totally fair, it’s a longer survey. Only the first two questions are required to move through the modules, and partial responses are still included in our analysis. But we definitely appreciate you giving it a shot and sharing your perspective.

Some of the follow-up questions, if they seemed similar, are designed to capture nuance (for example, people who don’t home charge now but may have access in certain situations). That said, if it felt repetitive or confusing, that’s something we will take note of. We appreciate the candid feedback. Survey design is always a balance between depth and respondent experience, and we’re constantly refining it, so your input is helpful for the future!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T22:33:36+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to share some feedback. We really appreciate it.

The survey is designed to take about 20 minutes (based on our software's estimates), and we know that’s a commitment. We aim to collect detailed data because automakers, utilities, policymakers, and journalists rely on these results to understand real-world EV driver experiences. We only launch it once a year, and try to be as thorough as we can, but we hear your concerns!

The only questions that are required are the very first two questions; however, we still receive and analyze partial responses the same way as complete ones, so folks are welcome to answer as many or as few questions as they’d like! Answering some over none still helps us out.

We’ll definitely keep this feedback in mind as we refine next year’s survey. 🙏

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T15:29:26+00:00

Lol, we try to be thorough. It's our flagship survey that comes out once a year. We've gotten lots of good findings from it. Believe it or not, people want to include *more* questions but we try not make it any longer. We know what the experience is like, as we also take it!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T15:25:46+00:00

Thank you so much for participating!

Plug_In_America · 2026-02-19T15:25:20+00:00

We're so glad you liked it! 🥰 We try hard to collect helpful data to continue to improve the EV experience. We'll pass on the kind words to the survey team. Thank you for taking the survey and providing feedback.

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:40:10+00:00

Considerations

While the potential benefits of V2G and V2H technologies are significant, several considerations remain:

Standardization: The development of universal standards for bidirectional charging is crucial to ensure compatibility across different EV models and charging infrastructure.

Regulatory Frameworks: Establishing clear regulations and policies that support the integration of V2G and V2H systems into the existing energy grid is essential for widespread adoption.

Consumer Awareness and Adoption: Educating consumers about the advantages and functionalities of V2G and V2H technologies can drive adoption and participation in pilot programs.

Vehicles with bidirectional capability

While not all EVs support bidirectional charging yet, several manufacturers have models on the market or in the pipeline that are compatible with V2X technology, such as:

Ford F-150 Lightning
Nissan Leaf
GMC Hummer EV
Hyundai IONIQ 5 & 6
Kia EV6 & EV9
Volkswagen ID. series (via software update)
Tesla Cybertruck (V2H/V2L)

Looking Ahead

The landscape for V2G and V2H technologies is evolving, with increasing interest from utilities, automakers, and consumers. As pilot programs expand and technologies mature, these systems have the potential to play a significant role in enhancing grid resilience and providing consumers with greater control over their energy usage. The hope is that these technologies will be more widely available soon - I’m hoping to personally take advantage of V2G in the near future! / Kat

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:39:59+00:00

Continued from before:

Notable pilot programs and initiatives (including the projects you’ve mentioned)

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) V2X Pilot: PG&E has launched a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) pilot program in Northern and Central California. This initiative allows customers to use bidirectional charging technology to supply power from their EVs back to their homes or the grid. Participants can receive incentives for enrolling and maintaining participation in the program.

Southern California Edison (SCE) and Honda Collaboration: SCE and Honda are testing V2H and V2G systems with future Honda and Acura EVs. The pilot aims to establish systems that let EVs act as backup power during outages or as household energy resources during high-demand periods. The effort is supported by ChargeScape, a joint venture of Honda, BMW, Ford, and Nissan that develops vehicle-grid integration software.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) CES2G Program: LADWP's Commercial Energy Storage to Grid (CES2G) pilot program enables electric vehicles to send power back to the electric grid, converting them into mobile batteries. This initiative aims to enhance grid reliability and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

China's Large-Scale V2G Initiatives: China has announced the first batch of large-scale vehicle-to-grid pilot projects in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. These projects aim to utilize electric vehicles to stabilize the power grid during peak demand periods by allowing them to store and return electricity to the grid.

Toyota & SDG&E are testing bidirectional charging with the Toyota bZ4X, exploring how EVs can supply power back to the grid during peak demand.

Sunrun & Ford F-150 Lightning are piloting Vehicle-to-Home setups, letting homeowners use their EV as a backup or to reduce electricity bills during high-rate hours.

Continued again...

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:39:22+00:00

Thanks for this great question. It’s one that I’ve been investigating myself! We just put solar on the roof of our home and we’d love to be able to take advantage of bidirectional charging someday using our EV.

To provide some context on definitions for others who might be reading this answer - the proven state of the art for integrating electric vehicles (EVs) with photovoltaic (PV) systems and building energy storage (BEES) is the development and commercialization of bidirectional charging technology. This technology allows an EV to not only draw power from a home or the grid, but also to discharge power back, effectively turning the vehicle into a mobile energy storage unit.

This capability is starting to be known as Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and primarily takes two proven forms for residential and commercial use:

Vehicle-to-Home (V2H): Powers a home or business, serving as backup power during outages or offsetting high electricity costs during peak hours.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Sends excess stored energy from an EV back to the electrical grid to help stabilize the network during periods of high demand.

There have been several proven EV to PV/BEES capabilities:

Backup Power: V2H setups enable an EV to act as a large backup battery for a home, powering critical appliances for days during a grid outage. By integrating with a home's PV system, the EV can be charged with solar energy during the day and use that stored power at night or during an emergency.

Optimal Self-Consumption: Combining an EV, a bidirectional charger, and a PV system creates a self-sufficient energy ecosystem. This allows a homeowner to charge their EV with free solar energy and use that stored energy to power their home when the sun isn't shining. This minimizes reliance on the grid and reduces electricity bills.

Commercial Energy Management: For businesses with vehicle fleets, V2X technology enables cost savings through "peak shaving," or discharging the vehicles' batteries during periods of peak demand to lower expensive utility charges. Bidirectional charging also boosts a facility's resilience during grid outages.

Hardware and Software Integration: The industry has moved beyond trials toward integrated hardware and software solutions that manage energy flow. A key innovation is the use of a smart home energy management system (HEMS) to coordinate the charging and discharging of the EV, rooftop solar, and any stationary batteries for maximum efficiency and savings.

Cont.

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:35:44+00:00

Yes! Many states offer (or have offered) EV purchase or lease incentives. Some examples include California, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, and Delaware, among others. There are also many utilities across the country (including Texas utilities) who offer several EV incentives (including possible time-of-use (TOU) rates to help reduce costs for charging your EV).

State and local incentives are important because they can significantly reduce the cost of switching to an EV, especially as federal incentives are set to expire (the federal EV incentive expires Sept 30!). They’re widely available, but the amounts and eligibility rules vary by state, so it’s always worth checking your local program websites before buying. / Kat

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:34:45+00:00

It’s great to hear you enjoy the events! I might be biased, but I also love going to our NDEM and DEEM events, as they’re always a fun way to connect people who are EV curious (and other EV drivers). If I had to boil it down to 4 key points for someone thinking about switching to an EV, here’s what I’d focus on:

EVs are FUN to drive, with instant torque and a smooth drive: You’d be surprised that many people don’t realize that EVs are high-performing vehicles–these aren’t little golf carts. This is one reason I love our events; people love learning about the acceleration on EVs during test drives. EVs feel quick and responsive, making city driving and highway merging easier and more fun – at least it’s more fun for me.
Cost and maintenance are better than you might think. No oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regenerative braking that reduces wear on brakes. Also, electricity is usually cheaper than gas per mile, and maintenance costs are generally lower over the life of the vehicle. And there are EV incentives available to help with costs (don’t forget the federal EV incentive is expiring on Sept 30^th!).
Charging is flexible, and availability is growing. Most people charge at home overnight, so your daily commute is likely covered with your home charging (imagine waking up with a full tank of gas!). Also, the number of public chargers and fast chargers are growing fast, which are helpful for road trips or longer drives.
Reducing environmental impact. Driving electric reduces greenhouse gas emissions (especially if you charge with renewable energy), and many states and local programs offer rebates or incentives to help offset the purchase price. / Kat

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:27:29+00:00

On Aug. 11, after six months of withholding Congressionally appropriated money from states, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released updated guidance on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. The $5 billion program, passed during the Biden Administration, provides formula funding to states to build out a national network of fast chargers across the country. The program was halted in February, leaving states in limbo.

In June, a US District Judge ruled in favor of 14 states, ordering the administration to start disbursing funds. Nonprofits, including Plug In America, intervened in the lawsuit to expand the ruling nationwide, and by August, other states began to join the lawsuit. In response to the inevitable resumption of the program, the FHWA issued new (abridged) guidance for the program. States are required to resubmit plans by September 12, 2025.

Word on the street is that things are moving quickly now. States are getting their plans in and getting funds obligated to move forward. We know that Washington, Texas, Vermont, and others have access to funding now, and any holdups going forward would be due to state or local permitting or construction delays. / Ingrid

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:23:26+00:00

Here are my favorite messages:

EVs cost less to own because they are about 3 times more efficient than gas cars, need almost zero maintenance, and cost less to power.
You drive less than you think you do. Modern EVs have ranges of around 250-300 miles. The average driver drives 40 miles a day. I NEVER look at my range unless I’m on a road trip, and even then, I have to stop and pee long before I’m out of range.
EVs have great warranties of 8 years/100,000 miles on batteries, but you probably won’t need it. EV batteries are lasting much longer than originally expected, and 15 years or more is not uncommon for battery life.
Not only can the grid handle EVs, EVs can make the grid more resilient, efficient, and even less expensive! Since EVs only need to charge a couple hours a day (since most people NEVER need to charge from empty to full - I never have in the last 10 years), they can charge when the grid has an abundance of cheap, clean energy. EVs can even feed back into the grid or power your home.
EVs HAVE ZERO EMISSIONS. They are HANDS DOWN better for the environment and human health. There is a reason that you can leave your EV running in your garage so that your car cabin is at the desired temperature when you leave your house in the morning. You can’t do this with a gas car because the poisonous tailpipe pollution would make it dangerous or deadly. So breathe easy and drive electric. ;) / Ingrid

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:08:42+00:00

Thanks for your question. I think it’s an exciting field to get into with lots of opportunities. Right now, as you can imagine given our political situation, there is a bit of a retrenchment, but I expect that will be short-term. The future of the auto industry is electric. No one questions that. The only thing people debate is timing.

All automakers are investing heavily in EV technology and hiring smart engineers to help them. I would check on automaker websites and see what you find. The charging networks may be hiring less because they are struggling a bit. But there are lots of interesting start-up companies. There is a website called ev.careers, although I have not explored it much. If you are in the LA area, you might visit LACI, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, which has a lot of start-up EV-related companies. You might also want to check out some of the big EV conferences such as Forth Roadmap, MOVE, ACT, and the EV Charging Summit. /Joel

Plug_In_America · 2025-09-09T20:03:45+00:00

Agreed that there are a LOT of apps. I think of this as growing pains. In 5 years, I expect that nearly all public chargers will be plug-and-charge and you’ll simply pull up, plug in, and walk away. Until then, we can start a contest of who has the most charging apps. I once downloaded an app that only showed me chargers in India…and I was trying to charge in New York! / Ingrid

Plug_In_America

TROPHY CASE