This article looks at how Texans really feel about building more EV charging stations. We’ll break down who supports the expansion, who’s skeptical, and what’s driving those opinions, from concerns about the power grid to worries about government overreach.
Key Takeaways
- 75% of Texans support expanding EV charging stations across the state.
- 48% of Texans planning to buy a new car this year say they’ll choose an EV, while 17% will get a gas-powered vehicle.
- 53% of Texans lack confidence that the state’s power grid can support a major increase in EV use.
- 50% of Gen Z and millennials in Texas plan to purchase an EV this year, compared to 44% of baby boomers and 43% of Gen X.
- 36% of Gen Z Texans believe wealthy Americans benefit most from clean energy policies — the highest among all age groups.
Where Texans Stand on EV Charging Expansion
- 3 in 4 Texans support expanding EV infrastructure across the state. Gen Z and millennials lead, with nearly 4 in 5 supporting expansion, compared to just 2 in 3 baby boomers.
- About half of Texans (48%) planning to buy a new car this year say they’ll choose an electric vehicle — nearly triple the share opting for gas-powered cars (17%).
- Millennials and Gen Z are leading the EV charge in Texas, with 50% of both groups planning to purchase an electric vehicle this year. By contrast, only 44% of baby boomers and 43% of Gen X say the same.
EV Expansion Support by Political Affiliation
- Democrats: 84%
- Republicans: 72%
- Independents: 68%
EV Expansion Support by Vehicle Preference
- EV drivers: 95%
- Hybrid drivers: 84%
- Gas-powered drivers: 60%
EV Expansion Support by Region
- Dallas–Fort Worth metro area: 79%
- Austin metro area: 78%
- Houston metro area: 74%
- San Antonio metro area: 73%
- El Paso metro area: 71%
Do Texans Feel Pressured To Go Electric?
- 2 in 5 Texans (40%) believe EV infrastructure is being pushed too aggressively by the federal or state government. Gen X agrees with this view the most (43%), followed by Gen Z (40%) and millennials (37%).
- 51% of Gen Z, 48% of Gen X, and 43% of millennials agree with the current administration’s criticism of aggressive green energy mandates.
- More than half of Texans (53%) lack confidence that the state’s power grid can support a major increase in electric vehicle use.
- Gen Z shows the most confidence in the Texas power grid, with 58% believing it can support a major rise in EV use, followed by 49% of millennials, 36% of Gen X, and just 27% of baby boomers.
- Nearly two-thirds of Texans (64%) believe that driving a gas-powered vehicle is part of Texas culture.
- Baby boomers and Gen X are most likely to view gas-powered vehicles as part of Texas culture, with 69% of each group agreeing, compared to 63% of millennials and 59% of Gen Z.
- Baby boomers are the most likely to feel restricted by EV policies, with 53% saying the government is limiting their freedom to choose what kind of vehicle to drive. Fewer younger Texans, including 45% of Gen X, 36% of millennials, and 36% of Gen Z, say the same.
- Gen Z is the most skeptical of clean energy equity: 36% say wealthy Americans benefit most from clean energy policies. That view is shared by 31% of millennials, 29% of baby boomers, and 27% of Gen X.
Regional EV Outlook Within the Next 10 Years
- Austin metro area: 36% say most Texans will drive electric vehicles within the next 10 years.
- Houston metro area: 34% believe EVs will be the dominant vehicle within the next decade.
- Dallas–Fort Worth metro area: 33% expect EVs to lead on Texas roads within the next 10 years.
Methodology
We suveyed 1,000 Texans to explore their perspective on electric vehicle infrastructure expansion and uncover the real motivations behind support or resistance to Texas’ green energy future. The average age was 39; 57% of respondents were women, 42% were men, and 1% were nonbinary. Generationally, 7% were baby boomers, 24% were Gen X, 43% were Millennials, and 26% were Gen Z.
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