The 2026 BMW i4 (Source: BMW)
Most Americans say 75 miles of range would be more than enough for their daily drive, but when it comes to choosing an EV, a fair number want a much bigger cushion.
A new BMW Group survey found that 73% of US adults say 25 to 75 miles is enough to cover their daily routine. Yet 42% of Americans want at least 300 miles of range before they’d consider buying an EV – and 18% want 400 miles or more.
That’s because people don’t buy cars just for running errands. There’s the road trip, the unexpected detour, and the question of when and where they’ll charge. Having enough range for the daily commute to work isn’t necessarily enough to win someone over at the dealership.
Faster charging seems to appeal: Adding around 150 miles in 10 minutes would make 53% more likely to consider an EV. Younger adults are especially interested: that figure jumps to 70% among gen Z and 65% among millennials.
Overall, 68% say they’d consider going electric, with the biggest reason cited as cheaper ownership and operating costs. Other reasons include better performance, advanced technology, and lower emissions.
However, the car’s price tag is still the biggest sticking point. Purchase price was a barrier for 51%, followed by battery longevity or replacement costs at 31%. And 55% would consider a used or certified pre-owned EV if it saved them enough money.
An EV that could keep the lights on during an outage also has appeal: 57% say home backup power would make them more likely to consider one.
Big Village conducted the online survey of 1,005 US adults September 11–13, 2026, and weighted the results to represent the US adult population.
Read more: Need a panel upgrade for an EV charger? Schneider may have a workaround
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