Americans want 300 miles of EV range – but most say 75 or less covers their day

A new survey of US adults by BMW Group found a gap between what people actually drive each day and what they say they need before buying an electric vehicle (EV). Most respondents, 73%, said 25 to 75 miles of range would cover their daily routine. But when asked what it would take to get them into an EV, 42% said they want at least 300 miles of range, and 18% want 400 miles or more. The reasoning: people also think about road trips, detours, and where they'll charge, not just the commute.

Fast charging matters too. More than half, 53%, said they'd be more likely to consider an EV if it could add about 150 miles of range in 10 minutes. That number is even higher among younger adults, 70% of Gen Z and 65% of millennials.

Overall, 68% said they'd consider going electric, mainly because of lower ownership and operating costs, along with performance, technology, and emissions. Price is still the main obstacle: 51% cited the purchase price as a barrier, and 31% pointed to battery longevity or replacement costs. More than half, 55%, said they'd consider a used or certified pre-owned EV if it saved them money.

One detail worth noting for homeowners: 57% said they'd be more likely to consider an EV if it could supply backup power to a home during an outage, a feature some EVs already offer.