The rankings also included the largest cities in states that have joined California in offering a package of incentives to reach an ambitious zero-emissions vehicle goal. Due to the very specific requirements for the regular use of electric cars , in many remote areas of the United States it is still largely impractical to own and drive an electric car . This is backed up by a new study by researchers at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University , which cites Portland ( Oregon ) , Washington DC , and Baltimore as the cities in which it is most practical to drive a plug - in car , and Colombus , Providence , and Portland ( Maine ) as the three cities in which EV driving is currently least practical .
Due to the very specific requirements for the regular use of electric cars , in many remote areas of the United States it is still largely impractical to own and drive an electric car . This is backed up by a new study by researchers at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University , which cites Portland ( Oregon ) , Washington DC , and Baltimore as the cities in which it is most practical to drive a plug - in car , and Colombus , Providence , and Portland ( Maine ) as the three cities in which EV driving is currently least practical .