New Research Study Ranks All 50 States on Electric Vehicle Ownership Convenience
When it comes to owning an electric vehicle, does it matter where you live? It could. The challenges of owning an electric vehicle vary from state to state. Some states make it super convenient to own an EV. While others appear to want to have nothing to do with them.
According to a January 2026 research report on the convenience of electric vehicle ownership, six key factors affect the practicality of owning an electric vehicle in any given state. They include how many EVs share each charging station, how many vehicles compete for individual charging ports, and electricity costs per kilowatt-hour. Also analyzed in the research are state tax credits for EV purchases, annual registration fees specific to electric vehicles, and average temperatures that affect battery performance.
The study, conducted by Law Bear, determined which states are the least and most convenient for owning an electric vehicle. Each state received an EV Inconvenience Score from 0 to 100. The higher the numbers, the more challenges electric car drivers face.
The least convenient states in America to own an electric vehicle
Based on the data, New Jersey is the least convenient state for electric vehicle owners, with 74 registered electric vehicles competing for each charging station. With nearly 135K EVs on the road but only 1,829 charging stations, drivers here struggle to charge their cars thanks to long wait times during peak hours.
Hawaii ranks second among the toughest places to own an EV. The state has about 25.6K electric vehicles but only 420 charging stations across all islands, leaving 61 cars competing for each charging station. Hawaii also charges 48 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity, nearly 10 cents more than the national average, so driving an electric vehicle here costs as much as fueling a gas car in many states.
California takes third place despite having the largest number of EVs in America – more than 1.2 million. So, while 20,166 charging stations may seem like a lot, it still means each location must serve more than 60 cars.
Washington ranks fourth among the least convenient states for driving an EV. The state registers about 152K electric vehicles and operates up to 3,000 charging points. That equals more than 50 EVs per charging station. Plus, EV owners here also face cooler temperatures that can reduce battery efficiency and cut driving range.
Nevada ranks as the fifth-worst state to own an EV. With 47.3K registered electric vehicles and only 683 plug-in spots, local drivers may often face congestion when charging their cars. The stations here do have more ports than coastal states, though, averaging 16 cars for every unoccupied charger.
The sixth to 15th least convenient states to own an electric vehicle are Alaska, Texas, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Idaho, Wisconsin, and Georgia.
The most convenient states in America to own an electric vehicle
On the flip side of the equation, Vermont is the most convenient state for electric vehicle owners. With around 7,800 registered EVs and 544 charging stations, each one has to serve only an average of 14 EVs. Vermont also only charges 32 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity.
Vermont’s neighbor, New Hampshire, is the second-most-convenient state for electric vehicle ownership. The state has approximately 9,900 electric vehicles and 289 charging stations. That’s a ratio of just 34 cars per station.
Another northeastern state, Maine, comes in third for being the most convenient for EV owners. In Maine, 7,377 registered EVs share 664 charging stations. That means each station only has to serve an average of 11 cars. And just like in Vermont, in Maine, each charging port only has to cover an average of five cars.
Connecticut ranks fourth among the most convenient states for owning an EV. The state has around 31,500 electric vehicles and operates over 1,600 charging stations. That equals just 20 EVs per station. Plus, with 4,980 EV charging ports, each one has to service an average of just 6 cars.
North Dakota is the fifth-best state for owning an electric vehicle in the United States. However, with just 959 registered EVs in the state, it’s pretty easy for the paltry 113 charging stations to suffice. It also helps that the state only charges 27 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity.
Sixth through 15th for the most convenient states to own an electric vehicle are Wyoming, South Dakota, Delaware, Montana, Maryland, Iowa, Arkansas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Oregon.
