Are Electric Vehicle Owners Smarter? Scientific Research on EV vs. ICE Buyer Profiles

Are they the owners? electric vehicles smarter?! Numerous studies show that electric vehicle (EV) owners differ demographically from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners in ways that indirectly indicate higher cognitive ability. One key factor is educationA meta-analysis of studies found that they have above-average educated people significantly higher EV ownership rates. For example, the likelihood that an individual with a university degree will purchase an EV is approximately 1.3 times larger than that of an individual without a diploma. In contrast, people with only a high school education have 17 % less likely EV purchases compared to college graduates. Higher education is associated with values such as environmental awareness, which motivates EV purchases. Early survey data from the US also confirms this picture: already in 2012 analysis showed that among early EV enthusiasts 77 % had at least a university degree, and among the general population only 28 %.

Are electric vehicle owners smarter – or even richer?!

In addition to education, it stands out incomeResearch consistently finds that EV owners are wealthierHigher income increases the possibility of purchasing a more expensive electric car and the necessary charging infrastructure. Studies show that they have residents of wealthy households significantly more likely to own an EV than lower-income residents. In the early days, typical EV buyers in the US were two to three times wealthier from the average: for example, the median income of surveyed EV owners was $108,000, while the American median income at the time was around $52,000 (Source: businessinsider.com)More recent reports also confirm this trend – the profile of the average EV owner around 2019 in the US was middle-aged, white, with more than $100,000 in annual income, at least a university education and with more than one vehicle in the householdAll of this suggests that EV owners often come from socioeconomic backgrounds where education and financial status above average.

Demographically speaking, they are urban and suburban residents more favorable to electric vehicles than rural areas. Urbanized areas with higher population density and better income/education show a greater EV adoption rateFor example, in one study in Australia, the rate of electric vehicles in cities three times higher than in rural areas (approximately 22 % versus 7 %). This can be attributed to both infrastructural reasons (more charging stations, shorter distances) as well as differences in population – city dwellers are on average younger, better educated and more receptive to new technologies, all of which are factors that correlate with EV ownership.

An important indirect indicator is also political and environmental orientation, which is partly related to education. Research in the US shows that members of more progressive groups (e.g. younger, urban and politically left-leaning people) are more likely to consider buying an EV. What 52 % Of the Democrats surveyed in one survey, 13% expressed a strong interest in EVs, while only about 13% of Republicans showed the same interest. This gap reflects both political and cultural and value differences – environmental concerns and readiness for change, which are more often present in more educated and “cognitively open” groups, encourage the switch to EVs. Are electric vehicle owners smarter?

Psychological profile: openness, innovation and environmental awareness

If direct research on IQ of EV owners no, we can look psychological characteristics and behavioral patterns that often accompany early adopters of new technologies. EV owners – especially early adopters – appear in literature as people with high openness to new things and willingness to take risks with new technology. According to Everett Rogers' classic theory of diffusion of innovations, innovators and early adopters those individuals who are curious, bold and tech-savvy, they like to try out new ideas and products and have the resources to do so. For innovators are said to be “a small group of people who explore new ideas and technologies” and who quickly become bored with routine solutions. Similarly, early adopters often opinion leaders in the community, spreading positive experiences about new products. Such a profile implies personality traits such as high openness (Openness to Experience) and lower level of resistance to change, which are traits that also correlate positively with some aspects of cognitive ability (e.g. intellectual curiosity).

In addition to innovations, an important motivational factor is environmental awarenessA large proportion of EV buyers cite the environment as a key reason for buying. In a recent survey in the US, as many as 72 % prospective EV buyers stated "contribution to the environment" as the main motive, much more than those driven solely by status or trendiness (the latter was mentioned by only 12 %). Environmental awareness often accompanies higher education and information; some research even finds that there is positive association between cognitive abilities and pro-environmental values. E.g. psychological study "Why Do Intelligent People Care More About the Environment?" (2020) supported the hypothesis that more intelligent individuals, on average, are more supportive of environmentally friendly practices, as it is supposed to be easier to understand the long-term benefits of such actions (the author explains this with an evolutionary perspective, the so-called Savanna-IQ hypothesis). Although intelligence itself is not directly measured in vehicle owners, they are proxies such as higher education and environmental concern, above average represented among EV drivers.

Technological receptivity is another feature that stands out. EV owners are also often early adopters of other smart home solutions. A survey by Parks Associates (2024) found that 72% of households with EVs use at least one smart home device, while among households without EVs this share is only 44%. EV owners are also significantly more willing to adopt systems for smart energy management at home – for example, many allow automated charging of vehicles at night at a cheap rate and coordination of consumption with other consumers. This indicates greater technical literacy and rational planning, which can be understood as an element "practical intelligence" among EV consumers. As analyst Daniel Holcomb said: "EV owners are looking for broader technology solutions that balance energy use, save costs, and conserve resources"Such habits – charging optimization, use of smart devices – indicate analytical, informed and proactive approach to consumption, which we often associate with getting smarter consumers.

Media analyses and expert opinions – are electric vehicle owners smarter?

Reputable media and experts have noticed these trends and sometimes directly raised the issue. "Are EV owners smarter?". Business Insider already in 2012 in an article entitled “Electric Car Owners Are Richer And Smarter Than The Average American” emphasized that EV drivers more educated and wealthy from the average. Citing EVIX survey data, they reported that EV owners far exceed the national average in education and income, which is why the author calls them “smarter” (smarter) in the sense of more skilled and aware. This narrative has appeared in a similar form in several media reports, where it is emphasized that EV buyers are often well-informed tech enthusiastsFor example, columnists have pointed out that early buyers of Teslas and other EVs understand the benefits of new technology and are willing to accept initial compromises (e.g. limited range) for long-term benefits – which suggests a higher degree of rationality and knowledge in this group of consumers.

Some comments go even further in linking EV ownership to smart. Claes Hemberg, a Swedish economist, in his report (2025) on energy consumption, highlighted that “electric car owners are smart consumers and are not afraid of logical things”His analysis showed that EV drivers are twice as likely to charge their vehicle on a cheap tariff (avoid expensive peak hours) than average electricity consumers. This is illustrated very rational pattern of behavior, which Hemberg publicly praised as smart behavior (Source: tibber.com). The company Tibber even calls them in this spirit “Energy Heroes”, because with smart charging they not only reduce their costs, but also relieve the grid and increase the use of renewable energy. Such media emphasis creates the image of the EV owner as a prudent, informed and socially responsible individual.

Of course, not all commentators agree – some point out that the higher education and income of EV owners may also be a result of only market selections (more expensive vehicles are bought by the richer and more educated, not necessarily smarter in a cognitive sense). Nevertheless most surveys and expert opinions confirms that EV buyers stand out for the characteristics we often associate with “smart” consumers: information, planning, openness to innovation, environmental and technological literacy and a willingness to change habits for long-term benefit.