BMW survey: Americans want 300-mile EV range, but drive 75

Most Americans say 75 miles of range covers an ordinary day, yet a large share still want at least 300 miles before buying an EV. That's the split in a BMW Group survey reported by Electrek.

Big Village polled 1,005 U.S. adults online Sept. 11-13, 2026, with results weighted to the adult population. In the survey, 73% said 25 to 75 miles is enough for their daily routine. But 42% set a 300-mile minimum before they'd consider an EV, and 18% said 400 miles or more.

The range gap

Errands aren't the only use. Buyers also think about road trips, detours and charging stops, so a battery sized for the commute can still feel too small at the dealership.

Charging speed matters

Faster charging would help. Adding roughly 150 miles in 10 minutes made 53% more likely to consider an EV. The appeal is stronger among younger adults: 70% of gen Z and 65% of millennials.

Cost is still the barrier

Overall, 68% would consider going electric, and cheaper ownership and operating costs were the top reason. The price tag is the biggest complaint: 51% named purchase price, while 31% cited battery longevity or replacement costs. More than half said they'd buy used or certified pre-owned if the savings were enough.

Home backup power is another draw, with 57% saying an EV that could keep the lights on during an outage would make them more likely to buy.

The survey shows a gap between the range people need on a normal day and the range they want for peace of mind. Faster charging and lower ownership costs may close part of it.

• BMW Group
• charging
• EV range
• gen Z
• survey
• used EVs