California is working to make electric vehicles more affordable, but for many drivers, the biggest questions still come down to day-to-day practicality.
For some Californians, EVs offer clear savings, quieter rides, and the convenience of charging at home, making them extremely popular overall. For others, though, concerns about broken chargers, limited repair options, and power outages are holding them back.
Here's what to know
Readers featured in the Los Angeles Times' Essential California newsletter described a split experience with electric cars.
On California roads, the paper said zero-pollution cars and pickups now represent roughly 1 out of every 12 vehicles. In the new-car market, fully electric models account for close to 1 in 6 sales statewide.
California's latest purchase incentives are also reducing upfront cost barriers. Buyers can get $3,500 off a new EV and $1,750 off a used one at the time of purchase. Still, access to the technology remains uneven.
Charging availability is one of the clearest examples. A 2025 UCLA study found that dependable charging is harder to come by in lower-income Los Angeles neighborhoods.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Some L.A. Times readers praised lower fuel costs, easier maintenance, and the smooth, quiet driving experience. Others pointed to blackout risks, apartment utility bills, and worries about taking longer trips.
More background
For reader Krista P., repeated outages changed her view of EV ownership after an initially positive experience with her BMW i3.
"The ease of plugging in my car at night to charge did not outweigh the fear and insecurity I felt when the power was out indefinitely," she told the paper, which suggests a solar and home battery system would be a good investment for those switching to an EV.
Others said the service infrastructure has not caught up yet. It was a deciding factor for reader Kerri W.
"I live near Palm Springs and I had purchased a hybrid which needed some work," the reader wrote in to the L.A. Times. "Turns out there are not enough mechanics in my area who know how to work on hybrid vehicles."
Range anxiety also remains a major sticking point.
"We make 1-3 trips per year by car totaling up to 2,000 miles each into areas where services are sparse," reader Stuart G.S. told the paper. "The range of EVs haven't reached the point where we are comfortable with the risk."
Reader Darrel W. pointed to rising gas prices as a reason to switch, though.
"With gasoline nearing $6 a gallon, EVs make even more sense," he declared to the L.A. Times. "After keeping two gas vehicles for more than six decades, I'm now in the market for a late-model EV with comprehensive safety features."
Reader Harvey P. said his household saw even larger savings by pairing an EV with rooftop solar and battery storage, noting to the publication that his family's "PG&E bill dropped to zero."
What's being done?
California is making moves on the charging side. Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a measure meant to ease permitting and other delays for charging projects, as the L.A. Times described.
Financial incentives are intended to help on the purchasing side. Drivers with reliable home charging, shorter commutes, or access to solar power may be best positioned to see the biggest savings first.
Apartment residents, frequent rural road-trippers, and people living in areas with few trained mechanics may have more to weigh before making the leap.
Many EV drivers really do love them.
"My EV is the most satisfying physical object I've ever purchased," reader Michael B. told the L.A. Times.
Where can I learn more?
In California, there are pros and cons to EV ownership. The point-of-sale rebate is a real selling point, while issues with charging options in Los Angeles offer a real downside for locals who are reliant on public charging.
• California's new rebate now gives first-time buyers $3,500 off qualifying electric vehicles.
• Across Los Angeles, charger vandalism and copper theft are making already scarce stations harder to use.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
