The one U.S. state where EVs still aren’t catching on, but tribal lands are stepping in

The state where EVs lag behind

North Dakota might surprise you: it’s the state with the fewest electric vehicles on the road. In 2023, North Dakota had 959 registered electric vehicles, the lowest total of any U.S. state. For a state known for its wide-open spaces, EV adoption remains slow.

Experts point to the state’s huge land area and sparse population, just 11 people per square mile, as a major barrier.

Public charging stations are limited, and the distances between them make long drives challenging. Even residents who want to go electric face practical hurdles that don’t exist in more urbanized states.

Big roads, few chargers

As of late 2025 AFDC counts, North Dakota had 109 public charging station locations and 276 charging ports statewide, including 145 DC fast ports. For drivers accustomed to gas stations every few miles, this scarcity can feel daunting.

The infrastructure challenge is costly, too. Deploying chargers across a state this large is expensive, and winter conditions further complicate the installation process.

Cold weather also significantly reduces EV battery performance, sometimes cutting range by up to 59%, especially in harsh January conditions.

Modest growth despite hurdles

EV registrations in North Dakota surpassed 1,000 by mid-2024, signaling some progress. In February 2025, federal NEVI plan approvals were paused while guidance was reviewed, slowing some states’ timelines, including North Dakota’s program planning.

Conservative political leanings may also play a role in slower adoption, yet experts still encourage rural drivers to consider EVs.

Operating costs remain lower than gas cars, and a growing network of chargers promises to make rural EV travel more feasible in the near future.

Federal tax credits and local impact

Federal clean-vehicle tax credits were limited to vehicles acquired on or before Sept. 30, 2025, which likely raised the effective upfront cost for many buyers afterward. For residents, that means the initial cost of an EV can feel even higher, despite lower lifetime operating costs.

Local experts continue to stress the long-term benefits. For families driving long distances between small towns, electricity remains cheaper than gas, and maintenance costs are lower. The challenge is bridging the gap between upfront price and everyday affordability.

Cold weather slows adoption

North Dakota winters are legendary, and extreme cold is tough on EVs. Battery efficiency drops dramatically in freezing conditions, sometimes reducing range by nearly 60%. Heating the car also consumes extra energy, further limiting distance.

For daily commuters or long-distance drivers, this can create anxiety about running out of charge in the middle of nowhere.

Many residents remain cautious, waiting for improved technology or a denser network of charging stations before fully committing to electric vehicles.

State infrastructure updates

North Dakota’s infrastructure has expanded to over 220 public charging ports, including 116 DC fast chargers.

Tribal networks, such as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s ‘Electric Nation’ initiative, are leading the effort to bridge the Midwest EV gap by installing critical charging points across rural reservation lands.

Because North Dakota has relatively few registered EVs, it ranks among the top states for public charging availability relative to EV registrations, even though coverage can still be patchy across long rural distances.

The Standing Rock solution

Tribal lands are stepping in where state infrastructure lags. The Standing Rock Reservation, home to the Lakota and Dakota peoples, is establishing a network of chargers to connect remote areas and enhance Midwest EV accessibility.

Over the past three years, Standing Rock installed chargers at schools, casinos, and tribal administration buildings.

By the end of November 2025, the reservation will operate 13 chargers, creating an intertribal network that supports rural EV travel in ways state projects alone cannot.

Local impact of tribal chargers

Charger access is already changing daily life on the reservation. Students, teachers, and tribal staff now use EVs for commuting, school work, and errands, plugging in at the school’s solar-powered chargers, linking day-to-day driving with local clean-energy efforts.

Vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Blazer EV are being used for hauling, winter rescues, and shared commutes.

These small yet meaningful improvements demonstrate how tribal-led initiatives can address gaps in rural infrastructure while promoting the adoption of clean energy.

Jobs and economic benefits

The Standing Rock EV network also creates jobs and revenue opportunities. Institutions hosting chargers, such as Sitting Bull College, will eventually generate revenue from public use, providing local economic support.

Tribal leaders emphasize the importance of sustainability alongside community development. With a 40% poverty rate on the reservation, providing free or affordable EV access is not just about climate; it’s about equity, self-sufficiency, and improving the quality of life.

Bridging long distances

For a state where towns can be an hour apart, charging access matters. The intertribal network enables drivers to plan long trips safely, a feat that was nearly impossible before these chargers were installed.

Road trips that once seemed risky for EV owners are now feasible. Tribal and nonprofit projects are proving that, even in low-adoption states, rural residents can enjoy the benefits of electric transportation without fear of being stranded.

EVs meet renewable energy

Many of the chargers on the reservation are solar-powered, linking vehicle electrification to clean energy projects such as wind farms. This reinforces a broader vision of sustainability beyond transportation.

Projects like these demonstrate that rural areas can adopt clean energy technologies, even when state-level policies or market adoption lag. For Standing Rock, it’s about respecting Grandmother Earth while providing practical solutions for residents’ daily lives.

Challenges remain

EV adoption is still slow, and harsh winters continue to challenge battery performance. Even with chargers in place, residents must plan routes carefully and consider seasonal limitations.

However, these challenges are not insurmountable. Local innovation, federal support, and tribal leadership demonstrate that creative solutions can overcome geographic and climatic hurdles, paving the way for gradual yet steady EV growth.

Curious how electric trucks once ruled Chicago long before Tesla hit the streets? Dive in and discover the surprising history that modern EV fans rarely hear about.

Lessons for rural America

Standing Rock’s EV network serves as a model for other rural states with low adoption. Strategic placement of chargers, local ownership, and integration with renewable energy can make EVs practical in sparsely populated areas.

As other states observe, these initiatives demonstrate that infrastructure, community leadership, and policy support, when combined, can overcome barriers that might otherwise prevent EV adoption in rural regions.

Think you know everything about the Peace Garden State? Think again, check out 11 North Dakota facts so rare, even locals will swear you made them up

Would you consider driving an EV across rural states if chargers were available every 50 miles? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Read More From This Brand:

• Virginia best historic towns for September visits
• Pennsylvania historic towns with summer ice cream walks
• Underrated historic towns in the Georgia to explore this summer