High Prices, Range Anxiety, Charging Time Remain as EV Adoption Barriers

There’s less reason than ever for Americans to worry about finding a public charger for their electric vehicle (EV) during a road trip, or if they are unable to charge at home. Fast chargers are multiplying, with more than 12,000 new ones installed this year alone, many close to U.S. highways. This represents about 20% of all fast-charging ports in operation today.

Drivers traveling on major highways, such as Interstate 80, will find that they are rarely more than 10 miles from a fast charger, with coverage improving by 44% since 2021. Nearly 70% of the combined length of the 10 longest U.S. interstates is now within 10 miles of a fast charger, a significant increase from about 50% five years ago. Fast chargers can recharge an EV in 20 minutes to an hour, compared to home chargers, which typically take 4-10 hours.

On October 31, 2025, AP reported that despite the expanding network of fast chargers, many Americans still feel hesitant about switching to an EV, with concerns about range and charging time ranking second only to the high upfront cost of these vehicles. A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that 4 in 10 U.S. adults still cite range anxiety and charging time as major reasons not to buy an EV. Only about 20% of Americans say they are very likely to purchase an EV as their next vehicle.

Daphne Dixon, a leader in clean transportation advocacy based in Connecticut, has been trying to dispel these fears. She drives across the country in her EV every year and posts updates about her experience, hoping to show that charging isn’t as difficult as many believe. Dixon argues that many people continue to fear they won’t find chargers, even though new ones are being installed daily.

Dixon leads multiple enterprises including Live Green Network, CT Southwestern Area Clean Cities Coalition, This Green Home, Better Than Normal, and the Coast-to-Coast EV Road Trip.

The expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the United States is progressing, but not at an even pace. Some states are rapidly building out networks of chargers, while others are still in the early stages. California leads the nation by a wide margin, with more than 200,000 EV charging ports and a robust zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption rate. To date, Californians have cumulatively purchased over 2.46 million new ZEVs, highlighting the state’s aggressive push toward transportation electrification. An astounding record 29.1% of all new cars purchased in the third quarter of 2025 were ZEVs.

In contrast, Connecticut’s EV market is smaller but steadily growing, reported CleanTechnica. The state currently has about 67,000 registered electric vehicles and roughly 4,455 publicly available charging ports, including approximately 740 fast chargers. While this network is expanding, it remains modest compared to California’s vast infrastructure, underscoring the need for continued investment in charging accessibility across the Northeast.

At the same time, Connecticut’s traditional fueling landscape is changing. The number of gas stations in the state has declined dramatically over the past few decades, from more than 2,500 stations in the 1980s to just 1,156 today, according to recent data from Fox. That figure does not include dealerships licensed to sell fuel to their customers.

This shrinking gas station footprint mirrors a broader national trend as electric vehicles become more common and consumer demand shifts toward cleaner, home or workplace-based fueling options. The transition highlights both the challenges and opportunities ahead for states like Connecticut as they work to modernize their transportation infrastructure and support the growing EV market.

Fast chargers are still scarce in rural regions, like parts of Connecticut. For example, the town of Kent only has an outdated, nonfunctional charger at town hall. Connecticut plans to use $1.3 million in federal funds to install new fast-charging stations in New Milford, though this initiative faced setbacks earlier this year due to political opposition.

High New EV Prices Remain a Significant Barrier

Even as concerns about charging access persist, the high cost of EVs remains the largest obstacle for most consumers. An overwhelming 80% of U.S. adults cite the high upfront cost as the primary reason they wouldn’t buy an EV. The expiration of federal EV incentives in September means many buyers now face a price increase of $7,500, further discouraging potential EV customers.

EVs accounted for 8% of U.S. car sales in 2024, up from just 1.9% five years ago. Experts note that while the initial purchase price is higher, EVs may ultimately cost less due to lower maintenance needs and the cheaper price of electricity compared to gasoline.

AP reported that Jim Warner, an EV owner, has used his Chevy Bolt (which offers a 250-mile range per charge) for multiple long trips, including a 400-mile drive to Maine. Warner says his second trip was smoother after adjusting his driving style to conserve energy, dispelling fears that EVs are unsuitable for long distances.

Why EVs Are the Most Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer just a futuristic idea; they have become the smartest and most sustainable choice on the road today. As technology improves and charging networks expand, EVs now outperform traditional gas-powered vehicles in both cost and environmental impact.

The most obvious savings come from energy. Charging an EV typically costs the equivalent of paying about $1 per gallon of gasoline, depending on local electricity rates. With fewer moving parts and no oil changes, maintenance costs are also significantly lower. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EV owners spend about 40% less on maintenance compared to those driving internal combustion engine vehicles. Over the life of the car, this can translate into thousands of dollars in savings.

EVs also offer protection from the unpredictable swings in global oil prices. Electricity prices remain relatively stable, especially for drivers who can charge at home or take advantage of off-peak rates. As more renewable energy sources like solar and wind are added to the grid, charging becomes even cleaner and cheaper.

From an environmental standpoint, the advantages are clear. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, immediately reducing local air pollution and improving public health. When powered by renewable electricity, their total carbon footprint is dramatically lower than that of gasoline vehicles, even when accounting for battery production. Modern EV batteries are also being designed for recycling and reuse, further reducing waste and resource demand.

Switching to an EV is not just a personal financial win; it is an investment in a cleaner, more energy-secure future. Every mile driven on electricity instead of gasoline helps cut emissions, reduce oil dependence (boosting national security), and moves the country closer to a clean, cost-saving, sustainable transportation system.

EVinfo.net’s Take

The foolish cut of the federal EV tax credit came at the worst time, however all is not lost. Long-term, EVs will become dominant in the USA as they are already doing around the world, especially in China. The reason is the EV’s superior cost-effectiveness over the long term, although EVs are also the most eco friendly vehicle.

In China, EVs are already cheaper to buy than gas vehicles. This will occur in the US as well, given enough time. In the meantime, automakers are cutting prices on new EVs and offering significant discounts.

The used EV market is an excellent way for drivers worried about high prices to adopt EVs. There are many great money-saving deals available. EVinfo.net encourages automakers to reduce prices on new EVs. The new Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf models releasing soon will be new low-cost leaders.

Obviously, a massive need for EV education in America still exists as the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said that 4 in 10 U.S. adults still cite range anxiety and charging time as major reasons not to buy an EV. The research also said only about 20% of Americans say they are very likely to purchase an EV as their next vehicle.

At EVinfo.net, we support forward-thinking EV education partners such as Veloz. In September, EVinfo.net reported that Veloz, announced that its Electric For All electric vehicle (EV) education program called ‘The Way Forward is Electric’ has reached hundreds of millions of consumers nationwide with educational, fact-driven creative messaging about the benefits of EV ownership in just the first two months of the year-long effort.

We urge forward-thinking state leaders, philanthropists, and others with the power to contribute significant funding to support clean, cost-saving EV adoption in the USA with more education efforts like the great campaign Veloz is currently running.

Drivers can easily get used to the longer charging times that EVs need in relation to filling a gas tank. It’s easy, EV drivers simply plan for charging when making routine stops such as mealtimes. Also, road trips almost anywhere in the US are no longer a problem for EV drivers in 2025, due to the increased number of public charging stations.

Electrify America, one of the largest top five EV charging networks in the United States, announced the integration of its real-time charger data into Google Maps, giving electric vehicle (EV) drivers instant access to live information about charger availability across its nationwide network. EVinfo.net hopes that all other networks do the same on Google Maps and other maps such as Apple, greatly enhancing convenience for EV drivers.

Progress is being made on EV charging as well. Here’s one example. In 2024, Autel Energy, the town of Deerfield, Rivermoor Energy, and the Federal Highway Administration completed a new electric vehicle fast-charging hub in Massachusetts, the first project of its kind in the Eastern US. Autel Energy continues to support public EV charging installation in the US. In September, EVinfo.net reported the completion of Autel’s first integrated EV charging and battery energy storage system project in the United States.