Homeowners were nearly twice as likely as renters to report having an electric vehicle in 2025, according to new Census Bureau data that for the first time offer a nationwide snapshot of who has gone electric.
About 7.3 million US households, or 5.5% of the nation's 134 million, said they had at least one EV, the 2025 American Community Survey found. Homeowners reported EVs at a rate of 6.4%, compared with 3.6% of renters. The figures cover fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
The survey, released Thursday, marks the first time the Census Bureau asked households with vehicles kept at home whether they owned or leased an EV. Homeownership is 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.
California led the nation at 13.8%, more than twice the national rate, while North Dakota (1.3%), Wyoming (1.6%) and Louisiana (1.6%) ranked among the lowest. Washington (8.9%), Hawaii (8.5%) and Nevada (8.2%) were among the leading states.
Even California has a sharp homeowner-renter divide: 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. Outside California, Boulder County, Colorado, and Loudoun County, Virginia, each recorded 13.9%.
A 2026 study by researchers at the University of Vermont and the 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. Axios transportation correspondent Joann Muller said many factors, including local government policies, can influence EV adoption rates, but ultimately it comes down to affordability and access to charging.
The Census figures do not track charging access or explain why households choose EVs, and with only one year of data they cannot show whether the homeowner-renter gap has grown. California renters, however, reported EVs at a higher rate than homeowners nationwide.
The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.
Share of households with an electric vehicle by tenure, United States and California, 2025
%
Covers fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids from the 2025 American Community Survey 1-year estimates. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 American Community Survey 1-year estimates
§
Analysis
Why This Matters
The gap shows that access to home charging, not just interest in EVs, shapes who makes the switch.
Renters in multifamily buildings are structurally disadvantaged in the transition to electric cars.
The new Census question provides a baseline for tracking whether the divide widens as EV adoption grows.
Background
Electric vehicles have moved from niche to mainstream in the United States as automakers expand lineups and states build out charging networks. Where owners can charge remains a central issue in adoption: drivers with private garages or driveways can charge at home overnight, while renters in apartment buildings often depend on public or workplace charging. The American Community Survey's new question is the first household-level federal measure of EV ownership.
Key Perspectives
Joann Muller, Axios Transportation Correspondent: Says many factors, including local government policies, can influence EV adoption rates, but ultimately it comes down to affordability and access to charging.
University of Vermont and UC Davis researchers: Found in a 2026 study that home-charger installation costs were higher at rental properties in Burlington, Vermont, and that renters were less likely to adopt fully electric vehicles even after accounting for home values and vehicle preferences.
What to Watch
Future editions of the American Community Survey, which will show whether the homeowner-renter gap is growing or narrowing.
Whether states with the lowest adoption rates, such as North Dakota, Wyoming and Louisiana, see movement as charging infrastructure expands.
Policy responses aimed at boosting charging access for renters in multifamily buildings.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedHomeowners were nearly twice as likely as renters to have an electric vehicle in 2025.Axios: “Homeowners were nearly twice as likely as renters to have an electric vehicle in 2025, new Census data show”
SupportedFor the first time, the Census Bureau asked households with vehicles kept at home whether they owned or leased an EV, offering a nationwide snapshot.Axios: “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.”
SupportedAbout 7.3 million US households, or 5.5% of the nation’s 134 million households, reported having at least one EV.Axios: “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.”
SupportedHomeowners reported EVs at a rate of 6.4%, compared with 3.6% of renters.Axios: “Homeowners reported EVs at a rate of 6.4%, compared with 3.6% of renters.”
SupportedThe figures cover fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.Axios: “The figures cover fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.”
SupportedReliable access to charging is critical to EV adoption and gives homeowners with private driveways or garages an advantage over renters, particularly those in multifamily buildings.Axios: “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.”
SupportedCalifornia led the nation at 13.8%, more than twice the national rate.Axios: “California led the nation at 13.8% overall, more than twice the national rate.”
SupportedIn California, 17.7% of homeowners and 8.9% of renters reported an EV; the renter rate was higher than the national homeowner rate.Axios: “About 17.7% of homeowners reported an EV, compared with 8.9% of renters. ... California renters reported EVs at a higher rate than homeowners nationwide.”
SupportedSanta Clara County led the nation at 24.1% of households, roughly 163,000 households, and is home to much of Silicon Valley.Axios: “Santa Clara County, home to much of Silicon Valley, led the nation at 24.1% of households — roughly 163,000 households.”
SupportedA 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, and lower renter adoption of fully electric vehicles even after accounting for home values and vehicle preferences.Axios: “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.”
SupportedAxios Transportation Correspondent Joann Muller said many factors, including local government policies, can influence EV adoption, but ultimately it comes down to affordability and access to charging.Axios: “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.”
SupportedThe Census figures do not track charging access or explain why households choose EVs, and one year of data cannot show whether the homeowner-renter gap has grown.Axios: “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.”