Based on a questionnaire survey，this article analyzes the characteristics of potential consumers of private electric vehicles，their knowledge and attitudes towards electric vehicles and relevant policies，travel characteristics and car purchase needs. In addition，this article also analyzes the characteristics，purchase behaviors，use behaviors and satisfaction of electric vehicle owners. Finally，this article also compares the similarities and differences of vehicle consumer demands in first，second and third tier cities. It is found that the main factors affecting car purchase include incentive policies，charging convenience，fuel economy，vehicle safety，income and daily maintenance costs etc.；consumers pay more attention to incentive policies when they purchase electric vehicles，especially preferential policies related to license plates and traffic are very attractive to the consumers in the cities that are subject to purchase restrictions or traffic limits. By comparing the characteristics of electric vehicle owners in those cities that subject to purchase restrictions or traffic limits and other cities，it is found that high-income and high-educated consumers living in those cities that subject to purchase restrictions or traffic limits are more likely to purchase electric vehicles；in contrast，the younger generation who have a certain level of education but has no high-income is more likely to purchase electric vehicles in other cities.