In California, EV adoption is increasing, with many factors influencing consumer purchase or lease decisions. Through a mixed-methodology approach using focus groups and consumer surveys, The Center for Sustainable Energy examined factors that impact these decisions, specifically brand choices, to learn why Tesla is the dominant choice. Factors like safety features, battery range, charging infrastructure, performance and online market research were common themes across both research methods, while barriers such as range anxiety, charging wait times and maintenance concerns also emerged particularly in focus groups, reflecting personal and nuanced priorities in decision-making influences among EV drivers.