Interest in the U.S. rose from 5 percent to 19 percent over the two-year period. And in California, where the market for EVs is well-established, interest jumped from 9 percent to 34 percent.

Respondents in the U.S. and China appeared to be the most optimistic about profitability moving forward, the data showed.

Global executives foresee a major shift to online auto sales by 2030, with a steep rise in automaker direct-to-consumer sales.