Drivers in these states are flocking to EVs as gas prices rise

As high gas prices started prompting consumers to take a second look at electric cars, 47 states saw increases in the number of electric vehicle registrations during the second quarter of 2026, according to new data released by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation on Sept. 23.

The alliance, which lobbies in Washington, DC, for nearly all major carmakers, including General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen, said in its quarterly Get Connected report that EVs represented 7.9% of U.S. auto sales in the spring of 2026, up 1.6% in the first three months of the year. EV sales accounted for 7.1% of U.S. auto sales for the first six months of 2026 combined.

The EV uptick came as gas prices rose steadily through the spring as the United States and Israel engaged in a war with Iran. The national average price of gas jumped from $2.98 on Feb. 28, the day U.S. forces first launched military strikes against Iran, to $4.49 on Sept. 25, according to AAA.

The Auto Alliance said California led the country in EV registrations in the first half of 2026, with more than 19% of its new vehicle registrations going to plug-in models. California also has the most…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/