Take Plug In America’s 2026 Electric Vehicle Survey
Plug In America has now launched its 2026 Electric Vehicle Survey and has invited residents of the US to take a few minutes to share their experiences with or perceptions of electric vehicles. Anyone who lives in the US is welcome to take the survey, whether they drive an electric vehicle or not.
Plug In America will use the feedback to check the country’s pulse on topics such as charging, dealerships, purchase considerations, and barriers to adoption. Once the analysis is complete, it will be shared with the public. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey.
What is Plug In America?
Plug In America (PIA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that promotes the use of plug-in vehicles powered by domestic and renewable electricity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the global environment, and reduce greenhouse gases & climate change.
PIA advocates the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and other vehicles that use electricity as a substantial source of motive energy.
History of Plug In America
PIA was founded by a group of electric vehicle (EV) advocates that previously had formed DontCrush.com, a coalition organized to stop automobile manufacturers from destroying electric vehicles at the end of their leases. The film Who Killed the Electric Car? documented the actions of Plug In America’s founders and brought increased attention to the subject. Plug In America officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2008.
In 2009, supporters of PIA emailed more than 50,000 letters to members of Congress, resulting in the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicle purchases being included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
In 2011, PIA partnered with the Sierra Club and the Electric Vehicle Association to create the first National Plug-In Day, which included events promoting electric vehicles across the United States. The annual event has since grown to National Drive Electric Week, held annually each September.
After eight years of being primarily volunteer run, in 2015, PIA hired its first executive director, Joel Levin. Since that time, the organization has grown to include eleven additional staff members.
The organization’s mission is to drive change to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Plug in America Programs
In addition to National Drive Electric Week in September, the group has launched an annual Drive Electric Earth Day in April, which also incorporates Earth Day events.
PIA advocates for policies that promote electric vehicles at the federal & state levels, including extending the federal EV tax credit, expanding California’s zero-emission vehicles mandates to more states, increasing access to charging infrastructure, access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, and registration incentives.
The organization developed PlugStar, a program that improves the EV purchase experience. PIA provides training for automotive dealers on various aspects of EV ownership, including government incentives for EVs, utility rates & programs, and emerging best practices in EV sales, to better assist consumers considering an electric vehicle.
Plug-in vehicles are now viable for most lifestyles and budgets
With more than 100 models now commercially available, over 4 million Americans have switched to driving electric.
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Affordability: On average, the cost of fueling a car with electricity is 60% less than gasoline, roughly the same as paying $1.16/gallon, thanks to EV performance efficiency and the lower cost of electricity. Electricity prices are also far more stable than gasoline prices, allowing drivers to avoid the risk of future price spikes. EVs also have fewer moving parts, lowering maintenance costs.
Air Quality: Too many people in the US live where the air is unhealthy to breath. EVs have no tailpipe and therefore no emissions. Imagine how clean the air could be with everyone driving an EV!
Convenience: Most EV drivers charge their vehicles at home, which means EVs never require a trip to the gas station. There’s no engine, transmission, spark plugs, valves, fuel tank, tailpipe, distributor, starter, clutch, muffler, or catalytic converter. There are a lot fewer things to break down, there are no oil changes, and maintenance costs are much lower. EVs have an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, remarkably better than the average of the average 5-year/50,000-mile warranty for gas-powered cars.
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The Environment: EVs powered by the grid produce 65% less emissions than a conventional gasoline vehicle, even when accounting for emissions created by electricity production. Charging with home solar panels drops the car’s carbon pollution close to zero!
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National Security: Our addiction to imported oil has huge national security implications. The US spends nearly a half-billion dollars on foreign oil every day, primarily for transportation. Every time you fill up your car, you’re sending a check to foreign countries to pay for their oil. Why not send your money to the local electric utility or neighborhood solar installer instead?
Performance: Plug-in vehicles offer a quiet, smooth, and powerful ride. An electric motor provides full torque from a standstill and completely changes the experience of getting onto a fast-moving highway.
