This is the worst state for electric car owners

May 8, 2022

Even as the recent spike in gas prices reinvigorated American interest in electric vehicles (EVs), the U.S. automotive industry and federal agencies under the Biden administration had already committed to long-term investments in EVs and the infrastructure to support them.

Curious how the consumer experience of acquiring and having an EV differs across the nation, LendingTree researchers analyzed state data to rank the best — and worst — states to own an electric vehicle.

These are the worst states to own an electric vehicle, starting from the best to the worst states.

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51. Washington

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.01
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 9.92
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 83.96
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 109.3
Score: 100

Washington ranks as the best state in which to have an electric vehicle. It has one of the lowest residential electricity costs in the nation as of January 2022, priced at 9.92 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That means it’ll cost about $5 — 496 cents — to fully charge a Tesla Model 3 with a standard-range battery, which can take you over 250 miles.

Washington consumers may also find that their entire EV price — or a large portion of it — is exempt from state retail sales and use tax. Up to $20,000 of a new EV’s price may be free from state taxes when purchased. Given that Washington’s state sales and usage tax on vehicles is 6.8%, this could save consumers $1,360 compared to buying a gas-powered vehicle.

The Evergreen State isn’t the only Pacific Northwest winner, either: Oregon ranks as the fifth-best state to have an EV. It also offers significant tax rebates — up to $5,000 on the purchase or lease of a new or used EV — and ranks 11th for lowest electricity cost.

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50. Utah

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.9
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.29
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 74.93
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 43.9
Score: 93.04

The Beehive State has some of the safest roads in the U.S., with less than one fatality for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled within its borders. State residents and visitors drove over 25 billion miles in Utah in 2021, encouraged by the state’s five national parks, which saw a resurgence of visitors as travel opened back up.

Utah’s inexpensive cost of residential electricity — 10.29 cents per kWh — also makes owning an EV attractive, especially compared to recent gas prices. And even if you’re not looking for a heavy-duty vehicle that would qualify for an EV tax credit, the state is still committed to supporting EV ownership:

Drivers can use their EVs in HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers.
By the end of 2025, the Utah Department of Transportation will have installed public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging stations every 50 miles or fewer along the highways.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is offering businesses and nonprofits rebates for up to 50% off EV charging stations, so Utah residents can charge their vehicles while at work.

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49. Maryland

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.89
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.4
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 75.86
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 43.5
Score: 77.22

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48. Massachusetts

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.69
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 25.28
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 108.23
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 48.8
Score: 75.95

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47. Oregon

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.64
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.86
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 80.81
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 85.2
Score: 74.05

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46. District of Columbia

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.02
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.18
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 259.03
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 86.1
Score: 72.78

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45. Colorado

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.24
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.61
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 89.66
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 62.2
Score: 71.52

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44. New York

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.94
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 21.01
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 79.97
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 37.8
Score: 68.99

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43. Rhode Island

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.88
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 23.56
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 103.03
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 28.5
Score: 68.99

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42. New Jersey

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.96
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 16.32
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 33.53
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 59.1
Score: 66.46

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41. California

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.36
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 23.58
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 149.28
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 178.7
Score: 64.56

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40. Delaware

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.28
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.24
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 45.73
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 28.4
Score: 63.29

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39. Hawaii

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.97
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 37.44
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 106.84
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 151.8
Score: 61.39

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38. Virginia

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.08
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.1
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 48.8
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 34.7
Score: 60.13

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37. Vermont

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.08
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 19.34
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 173.19
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 44.8
Score: 59.49

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36. Arizona

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.6
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.37
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 41.89
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 52.3
Score: 58.86

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35. Connecticut

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.18
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 22.28
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 58.5
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 42.3
Score: 56.96

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34. Georgia

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.39
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.63
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 39.04
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 24.5
Score: 56.96

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33. Nebraska

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.96
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 9.43
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 23.9
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 11.5
Score: 54.43

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32. Minnesota

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.86
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.71
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 29.76
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 24.1
Score: 53.16

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31. Illinois

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.33
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.12
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 32.09
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 34.8
Score: 52.53

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30. Nevada

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.39
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.93
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 68.66
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 52.9
Score: 51.9

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29. Pennsylvania

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.28
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 14.19
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 37.31
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 24.8
Score: 48.73

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28. New Hampshire

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.89
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 21.26
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 36.7
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 27.7
Score: 46.84

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27. Missouri

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.36
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.08
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 36.32
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 11.6
Score: 44.3

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26. Maine

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.03
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 18.32
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 60.89
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 18
Score: 43.04

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25. Texas

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.63
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.24
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 25.27
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 25.3
Score: 43.04

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24. North Carolina

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.37
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.88
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 28.02
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 18.5
Score: 41.77

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23. Iowa

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.05
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.97
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 23.52
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 9
Score: 39.24

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22. Wisconsin

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 0.96
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 14.82
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 19.38
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 13
Score: 39.24

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21. Kansas

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.34
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.52
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 40.86
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 13.6
Score: 38.61

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20. Ohio

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.27
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.53
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 26.5
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 17.8
Score: 35.44

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19. Wyoming

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.18
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.28
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 22.65
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 4.2
Score: 35.44

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18. Oklahoma

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.56
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.16
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 30.36
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 10.3
Score: 34.81

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17. North Dakota

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.25
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 9.44
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 21.42
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 3.1
Score: 33.54

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16. Idaho

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.44
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 9.9
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 18.21
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 16.1
Score: 32.91

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15. Florida

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.71
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.36
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 36.64
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 35
Score: 30.38

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14. Montana

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.72
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.67
State tax credits: Yes
Chargers per billion VMT: 21.1
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 9
Score: 29.75

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13. Michigan

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.26
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 17.13
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 25.05
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 15.1
Score: 24.05

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12. Tennessee

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.64
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.51
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 22.38
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 12.6
Score: 22.15

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11. Alaska

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.19
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 21.82
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 21.42
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 21.9
Score: 21.52

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10. Indiana

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.16
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.41
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 14.68
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 11.6
Score: 17.72

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9. South Dakota

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.49
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.03
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 20.7
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 5.2
Score: 17.09

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8. West Virginia

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.56
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.95
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 22.08
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 4.7
Score: 15.19

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7. Kentucky

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.57
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.93
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 15.06
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 7.4
Score: 10.76

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6. Arkansas

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.79
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 10.33
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 16.23
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 4.7
Score: 9.49

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5. New Mexico

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.75
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 13.12
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 21.25
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 12.7
Score: 8.86

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4. Alabama

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.4
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.86
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 10.2
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 5.6
Score: 5.7

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3. Louisiana

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.85
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.2
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 9.07
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 5.2
Score: 3.16

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2. South Carolina

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.99
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 12.73
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 19.09
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 10.3
Score: 2.53

South Carolina has more charging ports per mile traveled and a slightly better ratio of electric vehicle registrations than Mississippi. In addition, its state government is currently doing an impact study on the challenges and potential value of adjusting its transportation system to support EVs.

However, there are three reasons the Palmetto State ranks as one of the worst places to own an electric vehicle:

It has the worst road fatality rates nationally — 1.99 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
Its residential electricity cost is higher than Mississippi’s
There are no government-provided incentives for consumers to purchase EVs

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1. Mississippi

Fatality rate per 100 million VMT: 1.83
Electricity cost per kWh (cents): 11.48
State tax credits: No
Chargers per billion VMT: 9.49
EV registrations per 100 million VMT: 2.5
Score: 0

The beautiful Magnolia State doesn’t go out of its way to accommodate EV ownership.

Its mostly rural roads are among the most deadly in the country, and there are no government-sponsored incentives to support or encourage residents to choose an EV over a traditionally powered vehicle. The only incentive in the state noted by the U.S. Department of Energy is provided by an energy company that offers eligible customers some cash incentives, ranging from $100 to $5,000, to choose electrically powered business equipment.

Mississippi also has the lowest amount of EV registrations per mile traveled and the second-lowest number of EV chargers per mile traveled.

Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen have announced plans to open EV battery plants in Kentucky (No.7) and nearby Tennessee (No.12), which may change the statistics there.

Yet, in general, the South is a tough place to be an electric vehicle owner — which is almost counterintuitive when you consider that EVs tend to work well in hot weather while struggling to maintain their mileage range in colder climates.

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Methodology

LendingTree researchers compiled five metrics to rank the best and worst states to own an electric vehicle:

Fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The fatality data is from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and covers January through September 2021. The vehicle miles traveled data is from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), covering the same January-to-September 2021 period.
Public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging ports per billion vehicle miles traveled. The charging point data is from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Alternative Fuels Data Center, updated on April 4, 2022. The vehicle miles traveled data is from the FHWA. Because there are fewer charging points than fatalities and electric cars (more on this next), this was tracked per billion vehicle miles traveled.
Electric vehicle registrations per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The data is from the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center and is as of Dec. 31, 2020.
Availability of tax credits. The data is from EnergySage, last updated in August 2021. This looks at whether electric vehicle tax credits and rebates are available at the state level. Those with state incentives received a “1,” while those without received a “0.” For charts within the study, we labeled these as “Yes” or “No.”
Cost of electricity. The data is from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and is as of January 2022. This is the average cost of electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour for residential users.

The states were ranked in each metric before we found the average across the five metrics. We then assigned a score to each state based on their average ranking. The state with the best average ranking received a 100, while the state with the worst average ranking received a 0.

This article originally appeared on LendingTree.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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