San Jose Leads the Nation in the Adoption of Electric Vehicles
The United States is the third largest market for electric vehicles after China and Europe, but there is wide regional variation in our EV adoption rates. This new, clean technology is being welcomed enthusiastically in the large metropolitan areas of the west coast, where concern for the environment runs strong. EVs are especially abundant here in the Golden State, and San Jose is the California city with the highest percentage of EV sales.
The data honoring San Jose comes from the International Council on Clean Transportation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to improving “the environmental performance and energy efficiency of road, marine, and air transportation, in order to benefit public health and mitigate climate change.” According to their recent report, “Update On Electric Vehicle Adoption Across U.S. Cities”, about 2% of U.S. auto sales were electric vehicles in 2019. Of those 320,000 EVs, 73% were fully electric vehicles and 27% were plug-in hybrids. Sales on the west coast were a whopping three-anda-half times the national average, gaining a 7% market share. The ICCT researchers say, “San Jose had the highest share at about 20%, followed by other California cities, Seattle, and Portland, which ranged from 4.5% to 12%.”
San Jose’s admirable adoption rate is partly due to its proximity to Tesla, a trailblazing company that has accelerated the adoption of EVs around the globe. It is also fortunate to be part of California, a progressive state that accounts for just under half of all the EVs sold in the United States. The ICCT report identifies other factors that contribute to San
Jose’s dominance. High EV market share is closely related to the availability of a wide variety of EV models and a robust charging infrastructure. San Jose has both.
The report states that the total number of EV models available in the U.S. rose from 27 in 2018 to 29 in 2019. The metropolitan areas with the highest rates of EV adoption were those that had at least 25 EV models available for purchase. Sadly, over half of the U.S. population had access to fewer than 12 models. San Jose residents have a full range of EV models to choose from when they visit dealerships. The wide selection is partly due to the ambitious regulatory policies of the California Air Resources Board. The advancement of battery technology is rapidly making EVs more attractive to consumers, and there will soon be far more models to choose from, available nationwide with less encouragement from regulators.
San Jose also has an extensive charging infrastructure in place that is supporting the purchase of EVs. The ICCT reports that 450 public chargers per million residents is a typical figure for areas with high EV adoption rates. San Jose’s per capita figure is three times as high! Fifty metropolitan areas are experiencing an annual growth rate of 30% when it comes to the construction of public charging stations. The rapid growth is projected to provide adequate charging facilities through 2025, easily outpacing the sale of EVs.
Transportation generates roughly 25% of the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change. San Jose’s numerous green motorists are helping to eliminate those emissions. The city’s superior EV adoption rate is commendable.