Consumer Reports has released the results from its largest ever national survey, and it found that over a third of Americans are interested in buying electric vehicles.
There is reason to be optimistic about an EV future when Consumer Reports (CR) says that “36% of Americans plan to buy or lease an electric-only vehicle or are seriously considering doing so.” However, the survey of 8,027 Americans nationwide also found that people were surprisingly naive regarding the costs of EV ownership, the capabilities of the newest EVs, and even government incentives.
Of the 36% of people interested in buying an electric vehicle, the top reasons for their interest included low charging costs (33%), lower lifetime vehicle costs (31%), and lower maintenance costs (28%). Around 14% of the respondents were part of the most interested group of buyers, a group that has grown by 4% since a similar CR survey in 2020.
Compared to a Texas poll that we covered previously in Teslarati, Consumer Reports‘ poll showed a lower level of interest. They were also almost entirely focused on the cheaper cost of ownership, instead of new technologies or the environmental impact of EVs.
CR notes that data from Cox Automotive last quarter showed that EV sales rose by 76%. This seems to match sales reports from manufacturers this quarter, confirming that interest in EVs is increasing. However, CR put a unique focus on Americans uninterested in buying an EV for their next vehicle.
Unlike the Texas poll that showed that a sizable group simply preferred gas/diesel vehicles, CR did not replicate this result and found three other reasons why consumers were wary of electric cars. About 61% of those who were uninterested in EVs cited a lack of charging infrastructure, 55% cited range anxiety, and 52% said the cost of buying and or maintaining an EV was too high.
While it is unclear if the consumers surveyed were aware of current charging infrastructure or the range of newer electric vehicles, other reasons were often related to a lack of knowledge.
Most predominantly, 46% of respondents were unaware of Federal and State EV purchasing incentives, a factor that could have influenced whether they could afford an EV. Furthermore, while upfront costs for many EVs remain high, the maintenance costs of these vehicles are far lower than that of their ICE counterparts, once again showing that many consumers are unaware of the benefits of EV ownership.
On top of these facts, the demographic that was one of the most likely to be considering buying an EV was people who had either ridden in or had driven EVs within the past year. Only only 7% of respondents have driven an EV in the past year, yet these people account for over 20% of those who are interested in buying EVs. This shows that often people lack the interaction with EVs that could prove pivotal to changing their minds on whether these vehicles are viable for their personal use.
Other demographics that were more likely to buy EVs include men, younger people, people who live in urban areas, those with higher levels of education, and people with higher incomes.
The path forward is clear for auto manufacturers who want to bring more customers in to buy electric vehicles. They must address their concerns about cost, allow potential customers to test drive and experience EV charging, and make them aware of incentives that may help them purchase a vehicle. Each of these tactics will become far more important as more and more manufacturers begin offering EVs, bringing in a wider (and sometimes less knowledgeable) audience.
What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!
Tesla has landed a massive deal to expand its charging infrastructure for heavy-duty electric trucks — and not just theirs, but all manufacturers.
Tesla entered an agreement with Pilot Travel Centers, the largest operator of travel centers in the United States. Tesla’s Semi Chargers, which are used to charge Class 8 electric trucks, will be responsible for providing energy to various vehicles from a variety of manufacturers.
The first sites are expected to open later this Summer, and will be built at select locations along I-5 and I-10, major routes for commercial vehicles and significant logistics companies. The chargers will be available in California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.
Each station will have between four and eight chargers, delivering up to 1.2 megawatts of power at each stall.
The project is the latest in Tesla’s plans to expand Semi Charging availability. The effort is being put forth to create more opportunities for the development of sustainable logistics.
Senior Vice President of Alternative Fuels at Pilot, Shannon Sturgil, said:
“Helping to shape the future of energy is a strategic pillar in meeting the needs of our guests and the North American transportation industry. Heavy-duty charging is yet another extension of our exploration into alternative fuel offerings, and we’re happy to partner with a leader in the space that provides turnkey solutions and deploys them quickly.”
Tesla currently has 46 public Semi Charger sites in progress or planned across the United States, mostly positioned along major trucking routes and industrial areas. Perhaps the biggest bottleneck with owning an EV early on was charging availability, and that is no different with electric Class 8 trucks. They simply need an area to charge.
Tesla is spearheading the effort to expand Semicharging availability, and the latest partnership with Pilot shows the company has allies in the program.
The company plans to build 50,000 units of the Tesla Semi in the coming years, and with early adopters like PepsiCo, DHL, and others already contributing millions of miles of data, fleets are going to need reliable public charging.
🚨 Pilot working with Tesla to install and expand Semi Chargers is a perfect example of two industry leaders working together for the greater good.
As more commerce companies expand into EVs, Semi Charger will be more commonly available for electrified fleets, making efforts… pic.twitter.com/VPLIYyq15b
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 27, 2026
Tesla is partnering with other companies for the development of the Semi program, most notably, a conglomeration with Uber was announced last year.
Tesla lands new partnership with Uber as Semi takes center stage
The ride-sharing platform plans to launch the Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program, which it calls a “first-of-its-kind buyer’s program designed to make electric freight more affordable and accessible by addressing key adoption barriers.”
The Semi is one of several projects that will take Tesla into a completely different realm. Along with Optimus and its growing Energy division, the Semi will expand Tesla to new heights, and its prioritization of charging infrastructure.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Boring Company opens Vegas Loop’s newest station
The Fontainebleau is the latest resort on the Las Vegas Strip to embrace the tunneling startup’s underground transportation system.
Elon Musk’s tunneling startup, The Boring Company, has welcomed its newest Vegas Loop station at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
The Fontainebleau is the latest resort on the Las Vegas Strip to embrace the tunneling startup’s underground transportation system.
Fontainebleau Loop station
The new Vegas Loop station is located on level V-1 of the Fontainebleau’s south valet area, as noted in a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal. According to the resort, guests will be able to travel free of charge to the stations serving the Las Vegas Convention Center, as well as to Loop stations in Encore and Westgate.
The Fontainebleau station connects to the Riviera Station, which is located in the northwest parking lot of the convention center’s West Hall. From there, passengers will be able to access the greater Vegas Loop.
Vegas Loop expansion
In December, The Boring Company began offering Vegas Loop rides to and from Harry Reid International Airport. Those trips include a limited above-ground segment, following approval from the Nevada Transportation Authority to allow surface street travel tied to Loop operations.
Under the approval, airport rides are limited to no more than four miles of surface street travel, and each trip must include a tunnel segment. The Vegas Loop currently includes more than 10 miles of tunnels. From this number, about four miles of tunnels are operational.
The Boring Company President Steve Davis previously told the Review-Journal that the University Center Loop segment, which is currently under construction, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026. That extension would allow Loop vehicles to travel beneath Paradise Road between the convention center and the airport, with a planned station located just north of Tropicana Avenue.
News
Tesla leases new 108k-sq ft R&D facility near Fremont Factory
The lease adds to Tesla’s presence near its primary California manufacturing hub as the company continues investing in autonomy and artificial intelligence.
Tesla has expanded its footprint near its Fremont Factory by leasing a 108,000-square-foot R&D facility in the East Bay.
The lease adds to Tesla’s presence near its primary California manufacturing hub as the company continues investing in autonomy and artificial intelligence.
A new Fremont lease
Tesla will occupy the entire building at 45401 Research Ave. in Fremont, as per real estate services firm Colliers. The transaction stands as the second-largest R&D lease of the fourth quarter, trailing only a roughly 115,000-square-foot transaction by Figure AI in San Jose.
As noted in a Silicon Valley Business Journal report, Tesla’s new Fremont lease was completed with landlord Lincoln Property Co., which owns the facility. Colliers stated that Tesla’s Fremont expansion reflects continued demand from established technology companies that are seeking space for engineering, testing, and specialized manufacturing.
Tesla has not disclosed which of its business units will be occupying the building, though Colliers has described the property as suitable for office and R&D functions. Tesla has not issued a comment about its new Fremont lease as of writing.
AI investments
Silicon Valley remains a key region for automakers as vehicles increasingly rely on software, artificial intelligence, and advanced electronics. Erin Keating, senior director of economics and industry insights at Cox Automotive, has stated that Tesla is among the most aggressive auto companies when it comes to software-driven vehicle development.
Other automakers have also expanded their presence in the area. Rivian operates an autonomy and core technology hub in Palo Alto, while GM maintains an AI center of excellence in Mountain View. Toyota is also relocating its software and autonomy unit to a newly upgraded property in Santa Clara.
Despite these expansions, Colliers has noted that Silicon Valley posted nearly 444,000 square feet of net occupancy losses in Q4 2025, pushing overall vacancy to 11.2%.
Tesla lands massive deal to expand charging for heavy-duty electric trucks
Elon Musk’s Boring Company opens Vegas Loop’s newest station
