Small Fleets, Big Impact: A National Study of EV Adoption

New research on what is really driving, and slowing, electrification among America’s 99% of fleet operators

Small and medium-sized businesses represent 99% of U.S. fleet operators, yet they remain largely overlooked in the EV transition.

To better understand how these fleets view electrification, Mitra EV conducted a multi-state study of SMB fleet owners across California, Colorado, Georgia, and Ohio. The research combines qualitative interviews with nearly 300 survey responses to uncover what is truly influencing EV adoption.

We are releasing the findings in two formats depending on how deep you want to go.

Whitepaper: Key Findings

The whitepaper provides a concise overview of the most important insights from the research, including:

• Why only 26% of SMB fleet managers feel knowledgeable about EVs

• The non-financial barriers slowing adoption, including infrastructure complexity and uncertainty

• The differences between adopters and non-adopters

• Why the first EV is the hardest step, but adoption accelerates afterward

• Why pickups and vans are the most effective entry point for SMB electrification

This is the fastest way to understand the major takeaways from the study.

Download the whitepaper: 2026 Small Fleets, Big Impact: A National Study of EV Adoption

Full Findings Deck

For policymakers, utilities, program designers, and industry partners who want to explore the research in depth, the presentation deck contains the full set of findings.

The deck includes:

• Complete survey results and data breakdowns

• State-level comparisons across four markets

• Visualizations of adoption dynamics

• Detailed analysis of barriers and motivations

• Strategic implications for policy and program design

Download the full findings deck: National Study EV Adoption Among SMBs

Why This Research Matters

The findings suggest that the biggest barrier to SMB electrification is not politics or even cost. It is awareness, complexity, and perceived risk. When fleets gain real experience with EVs, adoption tends to accelerate rapidly.

Unlocking SMB fleets could therefore be one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to scale transportation electrification nationwide.