Would you go back to gas after driving electric? A new survey says 99% of EV drivers won’t.
A new survey confirms what many EV drivers already know: once you switch to an electric vehicle, there’s no going back. According to a study by the Global EV Alliance, over 90% of EV owners say their next car will also be electric. Meanwhile, less than 1% said they’d return to a gas-powered vehicle, and 4% said they’d consider a plug-in hybrid.
The survey, which gathered data from 23,000 EV drivers across 18 countries, highlights why so many people are sticking with electric cars. The top reasons include lower operating costs (45%), being more climate-friendly (40%), and benefiting the local environment (32%). Other notable factors were the smooth driveability (21%) and lower maintenance costs (18%). It’s no wonder EV drivers are hooked; the nearly silent, seamless ride and the lack of gas, oil, and fluid costs are hard to give up once you’ve experienced them.
With incentives like the $7,500 federal tax credit in the US, buying an EV is becoming more affordable than ever. Manufacturers are also sweetening the deal—Tesla’s recent promotion offering three months of free Supercharging is one example of how brands are encouraging EV adoption. These perks, combined with falling battery prices, mean EVs are starting to rival or even undercut gas-powered vehicles in terms of price.
Global EV sales are breaking records, with October seeing 1.7 million electric cars sold worldwide. China continues to lead the market, selling a staggering 1.2 million EVs that month alone, marking a 50% increase from the same time last year. In the US and Canada, sales are growing steadily, up 9% year-to-date. Automakers like Honda are also jumping in with new models like the Prologue, which is expected to boost demand even further.
Electric vehicles are improving rapidly, thanks to advancements in batteries, software, and technology. The gap between gas-powered and electric cars is shrinking, and in many ways, EVs are already superior. With longer ranges, faster charging, and smarter features, the appeal of going electric is only getting stronger.
For those who have made the switch, the thought of going back to gas feels like taking a step backward in time. One EV owner shared that after nearly 100,000 miles behind the wheel of an electric car, they haven’t had to buy gas in over 18 months—and they don’t miss it.
As more affordable EV models hit the market and incentives continue to grow, the future of driving looks increasingly electric. Whether it’s entry-level sedans, luxury SUVs, or sporty crossovers, EVs are set to dominate in nearly every category. If you’ve driven an EV, you already know the feeling. And if you haven’t yet, it might be time to find out what all the buzz is about.
