We’re Not in Norway, China, or California, But EVs (Mainly Teslas) Are Swarming in Utah – CleanTechnica

---

Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.

---

Norway has further cemented its position as the world leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with an unprecedented 97–98% of new cars sold in the country being fully electric now. 25% of new car sales in China were 100% electric in 2024. California’s annual EV market share increased to 25.3% in 2024. So, if you live in Norway, China or California, you expect to see EVs everyplace you look. However, in ruby red Utah, the market share of EVs reached only 10% of all new car sales in 2024.

What would we expect to see in Utah? New car sales don’t tell the whole story about the total car fleet that is on the road. It will take years for the total fleet percentages to reflect the sales figures for new cars. However, there are other factors to consider — new cars tend to be driven more than older cars, for example, so you are more likely to see new cars on the road. Also, since the electricity to run an EV cost is about ⅓ of the gas for a gas car, owners of both vehicle types will probably drive the EV more often.

There is nothing scientific about my observations of number of EVs on the road here in Utah. However, to my wife and I, EVs (mostly Teslas) appear to be swarming here in Utah County (25 miles south of Salt Lake City) and in Salt Lake City proper. [Editor’s note: I feel the same, or similar, here in Southwest Florida. Whereas I used to spot EVs here and there, mostly Teslas, they are now present pretty much every time I look up at the road, a parking lot, etc. However, whereas Tesla used to be extremely dominant, I now see non-Tesla EVs almost constantly as well. That said, as I am editing this article, I am parked right behind a Tesla Cybertruck. Teslas are still the most prevalent by far, but in the time I sit here editing this article, I’m sure I will see several other EVs pass by in the school drop-off lane. —Zach]

It starts here at home for me. Two of the 5 Teslas in my immediate family are sitting in my driveway.

It continues in my neighborhood: There are two Teslas sitting in my neighbor’s garage.

It continues a little farther down the street. There are two Teslas in another neighbor’s driveway.

It continues in my church parking lot, where a neighbor very near to my house parks his Model 3 Performance or Cybertruck depending on the Sunday as you see in the photo below.

He was one of the first in line for both vehicles. A third member of our congregation has two EVs. There are 11 EVs in a congregation of 100 families.

Two EVs in a family is an excellent testimonial. The first EV was so good they bought a second.

The swarming continues on even the shortest jaunts around our house. In the photos below at a nearby intersection, 4 white Tesla Model 3s and Ys, including mine, swarm the intersection.

Everywhere I go in Salt Lake City and Utah County, I see EVs, mostly Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Model S and X are distinctively Tesla but not as common. You also occasionally see the distinctive Rivian truck or SUV. Ford Mustang Mach-Es are also distinctive and quite common. Nissan LEAFs through the 2018 model also catch the eye, but I only see them now in downtown Salt Lake City. I’m sure there are others from Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, etc., but they are harder to spot. Cybertrucks practically hit you over the head because of how they stand out. However, they are also less common.

Of course, you expect to see Teslas and now other brands of EVs at Tesla Superchargers, like at the 8-stall location in South Salt Lake City (Sandy) that is almost always full. When we drive to Brigham City, 70 miles north of Salt Lake City, a 200-mile round trip for us, to see our 3 great grandkids, we like to do a level 1 charge in their driveway for ~4 hours, which is enough to get us home. However, on an October 12^th visit, the driveway was full and we couldn’t charge. To our surprise, only a few miles south at Farr West, Utah, there was a brand new 14-stall V4 Supercharger that was almost full. 15 minutes later we were on our way again.

The brand-new 14-stall V4 Supercharger at Farr West, Utah, that you see in the photo below was filled almost immediately after it opened.

The biggest Supercharger in Utah is halfway from Salt Lake City to Saint George, Utah (200 miles south on I-15). It is the 32-stall location in Beaver, Utah. On busy weekends, it is almost full. See part of the almost full Beaver Supercharger in the photo below.

Of course, if you want to see a lot of Teslas, we are fortunate to have a Tesla Service and Sales Center only 4 miles from our house here in Utah County. They usually have a complete lineup of Cybertrucks like you see in the photo below. There is a similar row of mostly Model 3s and Model Ys that are for sale or belong to customers having their cars serviced.

Referral Program: If you find any of my articles helpful to you and you are buying a new Tesla, please use my referral link: https://ts.la/arthur73734 (be sure to use it when you make your order). If you are buying a new Tesla and use my link, you’ll currently receive $1,000 off the purchase price of a Model S or X or Cybertruck, or 3 months of complimentary FSD with a Model 3 or Y.