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Political Ideology and U.S. Electric Vehicle Adoption

Author

Listed:
  • Lucas W. Davis
  • Jing Li
  • Katalin Springel

Abstract

The prospect for electric vehicles (EVs) as a climate change solution hinges on their widespread adoption across political lines. This paper uses county-level data to show that from 2012-2023, about half of all new EV registrations in the U.S. went to the 10% most Democratic counties. This correlation remains largely stable over time, though EV trucks show a lower correlation than other EV types. We also conducted a survey, finding no difference in the ability of Democrats and Republicans to identify EVs. Overall, our results suggest that barriers to widespread U.S. EV adoption may be greater than anticipated.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucas W. Davis & Jing Li & Katalin Springel, 2025. "Political Ideology and U.S. Electric Vehicle Adoption," NBER Working Papers 33591, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33591
    Note: EEE
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    Cited by:

    1. Janet Currie & Bahadir Dursun & Michael Hatch & Erdal Tekin, 2023. "The Hidden Cost of Firearm Violence on Infants in Utero," NBER Working Papers 31774, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Scrocca, Andrea & Daccò, Edoardo & Andreotti, Diego & Rancilio, Giuliano & Bovera, Filippo & Falabretti, Davide & Delfanti, Maurizio, 2026. "Local flexibility markets in Europe: A critical review of market designs, operational maturity and stakeholder perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PD).
    3. Cavit Baran & Janet Currie & Bahadir Dursun & Erdal Tekin, 2025. "Clean Rides, Healthy Lives: The Impact of Electric Vehicle Adoption on Air Quality and Infant Health," NBER Working Papers 34278, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Robert J. R. Eliott & Gavin D. J. Harper & Viet Nguyen-Tien, 2026. "The economics of the electric vehicle transition: demand, supply chains, and innovation," CEP Discussion Papers dp2164, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    5. Cincotta, Costanza & Thomassen, Øyvind, 2025. "Local Charger Availability and Electric Vehicle Adoption: Evidence from Norway," Discussion Papers 2025/21, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    6. Vo, Hai Long, 2026. "What drives electric vehicle adoption? Perspectives from a geospatial and longitudinal study," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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