USA: Light-duty EVs consumed more electricity than rail systems

California is said to have the highest concentration of EVs than any other state in the USA.

According to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), light-duty EVs in the USA consumed more electricity than rail systems for the first time in 2023.

The EIA reported that railways have been the largest consumer of electricity in the transportation sector since 2003. The railway systems have averaged a stable 7000 GWh per year for the last two decades. However, in 2023, the electricity consumption of EVs grew to 7,596 GWh - 5 times more compared to the consumption figures back in 2018. As per reports, light-duty electric vehicle sales accounted for 16% of the total EV sales in the USA in 2023. Data also showed BEVs accounted for 72% of overall electricity consumed by EVs, with plug-in hybrids coming in second.

The report also breaks down the electricity consumption based on US regions. As per this, the Pacific Census Division in the US accounts for 40% of the total electricity consumed - 85% of which comes from California. The South Atlantic Census Division, with 15.5%, came in second, with the Middle Atlantic Census Division taking third place at 8.8%.

California is also said to have the highest concentration of EVs than any other state in the USA.

Source: Electrek