Get access to the same vehicle valuation tool that dealers rely on. With Black Book, you’ll have insider data to accurately assess trade-in and purchase values—empowering you to negotiate the best possible deal.
After four months of electric vehicle ownership, my perspectives about the mass transition to electric vehicles have evolved. I no longer think that everyone should run out and buy an EV right now (besides, that’s not possible). I have a greater understanding of the skepticism that accompanies the push to EVs. All-in-all, I feel that I now understand the arguments from both sides: electric vehicles are amazing, better for the planet (in the long run) and fun to drive, however EVs are not even close to being ready for mass adoption.
Automakers have committed well over half a trillion dollars to electric vehicle research and development, marketing and most importantly, charging infrastructure buildout. But the grid isn’t ready, charging providers aren’t ready, and the American public has a LOT to learn before making the switch. EVs could still fail, and bring down the automotive industry with them. We’d hate to see that. These are 5 things that must happen in this decade to prepare the world for electric mobility.
EV Cost Parity: Electric Cars Are Much Too Expensive
The average price paid for an EV surpassed $66,000, on par with the overall luxury segment.
For years and years, I touted the coming cost parity that would finally make EVs just as affordable as any other car. Industry experts always told us that EV price parity would come when battery costs dropped below $100 per kilowatt-hour. Just as that milestone arrived, the world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global factory shutdowns disrupted the supply chains that all automakers rely on, and most notably those related to semiconductor chip production. Without the parts to make the cars, electric vehicle growth was held back just as the public warmed up to them. Raw materials used in both vehicle and battery manufacturing increased in cost by over 100%, and many automakers have passed the premiums on to consumers.
Today, electric vehicles cost more, and inventory is slim. Kelley Blue Book’s June 2022 car price data shows that the average EV transaction was $66,000, $18,000 over the overall car market average of $48,000. One year ago, the average EV transaction was $52,486, or 10.8% less than it was in June of 2020. In short, EV prices are headed in the wrong direction just as automakers are getting serious about making them.
Monthly Payments Are ALREADY Out of Control
In the age of record smashing, here’s one that will give pause: In June, the estimated average monthly payment increased to $730, which is a new record high. A new car monthly payment now costs as much as rent in many parts of the country. We’re seeing more and more car payments over $1,000 a month. The insane records don’t end there.
More cars are being repossessed as more auto payments are going past-due. With the way things stand today, either EVs will have to become more affordable, or their luxury pricing will soon risk worsening the auto loan crisis.
Avoid the Next Shortage: Batteries Will Be the New Oil
Earlier this year, Rivian CEO and Founder RJ Scaringe predicted that battery shortages would be the next disruption that the automotive industry would face. In fact, automakers are already rationing the batteries they have, and those they have lined up. Ever wondered why there are so few electric full-sized SUVs? Building those at scale would require a lot more batteries.
The average EV contains $8,255 of raw materials according to CNBC. That’s more than double the amount in combustion-powered counterparts. President Biden has even authorized use of the Defense Production Act to aid the situation by increasing domestic EV production and related supply chains.
For the most part, automakers don’t make their own batteries. They rely on contracts with battery manufacturers like Panasonic, LG Chem, and CATL to supply what their lofty plans for electric vehicles will need. That’s changing little by little. Tesla has started to produce small quantities of its new 4680 battery cells next to Giga Austin.
General Motors just received a $2.5 BILLION dollar loan from the U.S. Department of Energy for manufacturing the Ultium battery in Tennessee. Slowly but surely, some OEMs are taking control of their own battery supply chains. This will be key to avoiding battery shortages.
Over 62% of Americans support building out a nationwide charging network, and 39% of American drivers are considering buying an electric vehicle next time they’re in the market for a car. Frugal drivers are welcoming the fuel savings, albeit at a higher upfront cost. At current residential electricity rates, charging up is equivalent to spending about $1.00 per gallon of gas. The most expensive public chargers may approach $2.50 per gallon equivalent.
However, many Americans live in a charging desert. What good is the EV revolution if there’s nowhere to charge? Most EV drivers plug in at home, but not everyone can do that. From apartment dwellers to rural residents, owning an EV simply isn’t viable if there aren’t chargers for road trips, family visits and work transportation needs. When it makes sense for consumers, electric vehicles offer plenty of benefits. Cheaper fuel, less maintenance, sporty performance and no tailpipe emissions to name a few. But EVs risk remaining a symbol of luxury and impracticality if it doesn’t get a lot easier to charge up in America.
2021’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act included $7.5 billion for the build-out of a national charging network. In summary, federal funding is supposed to get the ball rolling, and the private sector will take it from there. EV charging stations, particularly DC fast chargers, are really expensive to install. On top of upfront costs, America’s electrical grid is not ready for the demand that would be generated by mass adoption of EVs.
The deadline is nearing for states to submit their plans for how they will spend their allocated funding for EV charging. Will they use the funding to install reliable, standardized fast charging stations along major transportation corridors and rural areas alike? We’ll soon find out.
Public Education: Tell the World What It’s Like to Drive Electric
The following are all things I’ve encountered at Electrify America charging stations:
A driver standing in pouring rain for five minutes trying to charge
Using the wrong connector type on a $60k car
Many, many Chevy Bolts, Audi e-trons and VW ID.4s using the 350 kilowatt stations, despite their cars only accepting half of that.
We need to do better to educate EV buyers and prospective EV buyers about how to drive electric without the hassles. We can’t blame the consumer, EVs bring a very different ownership experience. But whose responsibility is it to educate drivers? The dealership? The automaker? The driver themself? Guys like me?
In reality, it will need to be all of the above. General Motors is leaning heavily on the success of what they call affordable EVs to dominate sales by the end of this decade. In the first real sign that OEMs might be taking their newfound responsibility seriously, Chevrolet just launched a great live chat and immersive experience on their website that is entirely devoted to educating the public about their EVs, with an emphasis on the ownership experience. We need more of that, and soon.
The woman I met who arrived at a charging station with 0% state of charge and no A/C should, in my opinion, be upset with her Kia dealer. She loved the car, but no one had explained to her how to plan for interstate travel in an EV. Dealers sell most vehicles in America, but the dealership sales model is under serious threat from the rising popularity of direct-to-consumer sales. Everyone wants to be Tesla. If legacy automakers are to stand a chance in the EV race, more OEMs need to prepare their dealer networks for the public education that comes along with selling EVs.
Don’t Forget the Power of Innovation
Does the lack of affordability, charging infrastructure and public awareness mean the electrification of the auto industry is doomed for failure? No, not at all. That’s because there’s still time to right wrongs, and to build out the nation’s charging infrastructure the right way. EVs are still under 6% market share in the U.S. (See the latest EV market share numbers here.) If these same problems persist when we exceed 15%, that will be real cause for concern.
It’s true that the electrical grid isn’t ready for mass adoption of EVs, but it’s getting there. Grid-scale battery megapacks (also pioneered by Tesla) are already being deployed to provide grid stability in times when the supply of electricity is not keeping up with demand. The sun only shines in the day, the wind is intermittent, but grid-scale batteries store and supply power from these renewable sources whenever they are most needed. Now, it’s like the sun is shining at night. These changes take time. Plus, the push for grid-scale battery storage could throw a wrench in EV battery supply chains. Nothing is certain, but things are moving in the right direction.
5 Innovations On the Way
These are some innovations that have the potential to make electric vehicles more affordable with longer ranges, faster charging and improved safety. These innovations also make EV supply chains less damaging to the environment and less harmful to vulnerable communities worldwide.
Solid-state batteries are expected to enter mass production in just a few years. They promise higher energy density, lighter weight, and less rare earth metals for production.
Cobalt-free batteries are entering production now, reducing the need for this element that is too often associated with child labor and environmental degradation
Newer battery technologies are more energy-dense, meaning that more range is powered from the same-sized battery. In reality, automakers are likely to keep range figures around 250-350 miles, but they’ll require fewer batteries to get there.
EVs burn through tires quickly. Michelin, Goodyear and others are designing EV-specific tires that will have longer lives on the road.
Battery recycling and reuse efforts have recently received more attention as automakers and environmental health agencies work to avoid batteries ending up in landfills.
How can the nation as a whole get to where it needs to be by, say, 2025? I’ll leave you with my own suggestion for legacy automakers and policymakers: don’t be afraid to learn from Tesla. A seamless, almost hassle-free EV ownership experience already exists in America, from plug-and-charge, reliable fast charging to the peace of mind that comes with the vast Supercharger network. I encourage all policymakers and engineers to learn from Tesla’s successful growth strategies. Will automakers and politicians have the courage to consult Elon Musk’s Tesla, or will they try to figure it all out on their own? What do you think?
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
CARWISER LETS YOU COMPARE & CHOOSE MULTIPLE OFFERS IN MINUTES.
Outside of warranty, electric car battery replacement costs range from $15,000 to well north of $20,000 in a fully-electric vehicle. It’s true that batteries should be much more affordable a decade from now, but that’s a lot of money on the line. To protect your wallet, EV manufacturer warranties should be a top consideration for drivers looking to go electric.
Federal law requires automakers to warranty EV and hybrid batteries for at least eight years or 100,000 miles. California requires a 10-year, 150,000-mile warranty on EV and hybrid batteries. Still, EV battery warranties vary considerably, especially when it comes to degradation.
These are the best electric vehicle warranties in 2024. The top of the list was unexpected to say the least!
The Best EV Battery Warranty
Rivian (8 years or 175,000 miles)
Surprise! The best EV warranty is offered by Rivian for the all-new R1T electric truck and R1S electric SUV. Coverage includes all components inside the high-voltage battery and 70% or more of the battery capacity for 8 years or 175,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Drivetrain components are also covered for 8 years or 175,000 miles. It can be unnerving to purchase a vehicle from a startup like Rivian, so at least they’re offering the best battery warranty there is. Learn more about Rivian’s warranty here.
Tesla Battery Warranty
Tesla’s electric powertrain warranty is split into two tiers.
The Tesla Model S (starting at $99,990) and Tesla Model X (starting at $114,990) have 8 year or 150,000 mile electric powertrain warranties. Battery capacity retention is guaranteed to be at least 70% under warranty.
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Performance and all Tesla Model Y’s get an 8 year or 120,000 mile powertrain warranty.
The most affordable Tesla today is the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive, which gets an 8 year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
The Best Battery Warranty For Affordable Electric Cars
Hyundai and Kia (10 years or 100,000 miles)
For electric cars under $65,000, you can’t beat Hyundai and Kia’s 10 year/100,000 mile EV warranty. The Hyundai EV warranty covers batteries, motors and powertrain components. There’s also the guarantee of at least 70% battery capacity retention. “While all electric-car batteries will experience degradation over time, ours will not degrade more than 70 percent of the original capacity during the warranty period.”
Hyundai’s warranty was a big consideration when I decided to purchase a 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 for my family. Learn more about the IONIQ 5, and the ups and downs of my own EV shopping experience.
Learn more about Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery warranty. You can find Kia’s EV warranty details here.
The Rest of the Gang: 8 year/100,000 Mile Battery and Powertrain Warranty
In 2024, it looks like the industry standard for EV manufacturer warranties is 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This manufacturer warranty applies to the following electric vehicles in 2024:
Ford Mustang Mach-E (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Ford F-150 Lightning (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Jaguar I-PACE (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Lucid Air (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Polestar 2 (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge (70% battery retention guarantee) see the details
Volkswagen ID.4 (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Audi e-tron (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Chevy Bolt (60% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Nissan Leaf (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Nissan Ariya (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
Toyota bZ4X (70% battery capacity retention guarantee) see the details
The Worst EV Battery Warranty in 2024
We hope that the Blazer and Equinox EVs have a better battery degradation guarantee than the Bolt!
I’m surprised that GM is continuing to settle for last considering their much-publicized push to electrify their entire lineup quickly. The Chevrolet Bolt and GMC Hummer EV have 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranties with a notable catch. The battery retention portion of the warranty will replace the battery if it falls below 60% of the original capacity under coverage. See the full details here.
You don’t have to spend one hundred grand to purchase an electric vehicle with great range in 2022. EVs aren’t cheap, but with fuel savings taken into account, the electric lifestyle starts to sound a lot more appealing. There’s a saying in electric mobility: range is king. That’s especially true for frequent road-trippers and those who live in one of America’s remaining charging deserts. These are the electric vehicles with the most range in 2022.
Note: We’ve decided to place an emphasis on affordable electric vehicles with the most range. Affordability is a moving target in 2022’s crazy auto market, but in the realm of EVs, we’ve defined ‘affordable’ as EVs under $65,000. If you’re in the market for luxury, we’ve got those covered too.
Electric Cars With the Best Range
Tesla Model 3 Long Range (Dual Motor)
Range: 358 miles
Price: $57,190 with destination
Max charging speed: 250 kW (20-80% in 20 minutes, adding 214 miles of range)
0-60 mph (fun factor):
Federal EV tax credit qualification: No, credits were exhausted. Learn about EV incentives here.
See our full review of the 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range here.
Polestar 2 Front-Wheel Drive
Range: 270 miles
Price: $49,800 with destination
Max charging speed: 250 kW (20-80% in 20 minutes, adding 214 miles of range)
0-60 mph (fun factor): 6.8 seconds
Federal EV tax credit qualification: Yes, learn more about EV incentives here.
There are now three electric pickup trucks on American roads, but buying one is easier said than done. Everyone wants one, and wait lists extend months and in some cases, years. We’ve decided to include electric trucks that are not yet available for purchase, so long as specs have been released and reservations or orders can be placed today.
Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Extended Range
Range: 320 miles
Price: $72,474
Max charging speed: 130 kW (15-80% in 40 minutes)
0-60 mph (fun factor): estimated 4.5 seconds
Federal EV tax credit qualification: Yes, learn more about EV incentives here.
What does the future hold? Not necessarily more range, surprisingly. Many auto analysts expect range for relatively affordable EVs to settle in around the 250-350 mile range. Why? Battery shortages loom on the horizon. Raw materials are in high demand, and there are only so many places on Earth to get lithium, cobalt and other materials.
Should you buy an EV now or wait? If you can find what you want for MSRP or very close to it, it just might be the right time to buy or lease. All signs point towards higher EV prices for 2023 and 2024 model years.
Until there’s a Carfax for electric vehicle battery health, car buyers should bear in mind the unknowns of the used EV market. We’re used to hearing of highway miles versus stop and go, or oil changes every 3,000 miles. When it comes to the health of a 1,000 pound battery pack that costs $15,000 to replace, it’s important to know how ownership habits affect the longevity and performance of a modern electric car. How does fast charging impact the health of the battery? Is it worse than plugging in at home? We’re about to address these very important questions and more.
The Dangers of Relying On Public Fast Chargers
In automotive media, we often harp on the quickest charging possible. I’m guilty of that myself, and it IS an important measure of an electric vehicle’s engineering. EVs will never win over the masses with charging rates like this. However, reliance on direct current (DC) fast charging is a real threat to the longevity of EVs that we all expect and embrace. A ruined battery with a stunted lifespan is not only an expensive fix, it’s horrible for the environment.
The 2022 Kia EV6 charges from 15% to 80% in just 20 minutes.
Every new tech revolution brings its own growing pains. With the personal computer came lessons learned about viruses, scammers and how to use email without annoying everyone. EVs bring a new set of challenges, but they’re challenges that can easily be overcome with a little bit of outreach and driver education.
So without further ado, here’s a public service announcement from CarEdge Electric:
Don’t rely on fast charging for your daily charging needs
Why is this important enough to shout from the rooftops? DC fast charging stresses batteries to the point of degradation. Let’s take a look at a recent literature review of what scientists have found.
Authors Bhagavathy et al. (2021) summarized the last decade’s worth of research in the realm of battery degradation. Here are the key takeaways:
Frequent use of DC fast charging can cause battery capacity to decrease by 3% to in some cases 6%
High current generates more heat, and it’s the heat that damages the battery
Who cares, 3% to 6% is nothing, right? Not so. When most electric vehicles have a rated range of just 220 to 275 miles, every mile counts. Losing 6% of rated range to degradation would drop my own Hyundai IONIQ 5’s range from 256 miles on a charge down to 240 miles. I’d rather treat my battery nicely and keep that extra 16 miles of driving range. I might need it someday.
Other factors that reduce the longevity of EV batteries are:
Frequently operating the vehicle below 5% state of charge
Frequently letting the vehicle sit with a state of charge near or at 100%.
Frequent fast charging in extreme temperatures
Generally, 10% – 85% is the range of optimal battery health.
Don’t Abuse Free Charging Incentives
The Volkswagen ID.4 comes with three years of free charging at Electrify America
More likely than not, the electric vehicle you’re in the market for comes with some kind of free charging incentive. This is great for road trips, but be careful not to abuse the privilege. If you rely on DC fast chargers at Electrify America or Tesla Superchargers all the time simply because you can, you may end up wishing you didn’t when your range slips away quicker than expected.
Almost all electric vehicles use some version of the tried and true lithium ion battery. The specific chemistry of each battery is what gives it particular performance characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. Most are named after the makeup of their cathodes, the negatively-charged electrode.
To further explain, here are a few of the most common electric vehicle battery chemistries:
Battery Chemistry
Strengths
Weaknesses
Featured In:
One of the greatest strengths of the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery is its ability to withstand repeated charge and discharge cycles better than other batteries. A rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 with LFP batteries would not be as harmed by repeated fast-charging as an EV with other battery chemistries. Perhaps that’s why Hertz was so eager to buy 100,000 of them for their rental fleet!
What Will the Future Bring?
Solid-state batteries in development
For years, engineers and EV enthusiasts alike have been anticipating the arrival of the first solid-state batteries in production electric-vehicles. When will it happen at last? It’s looking like 2025 at the earliest. And even then, solid-state batteries may only arrive in hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains (according to Toyota’s plan).
Other than that, the future is here folks. Competing battery chemistries are in a tug-of-war for market share and ‘strategic partnerships’, as the automakers like to call it. But more important than automaker plans is the need for drivers to learn the nuances of EV ownership. Don’t fast-charge your EV just because you can, do it when you must. Otherwise, we could be looking at a used EV market swamped with degraded and abused batteries just a few years down the road. That wouldn’t help the EV revolution one bit.
Electric vehicles are far from cheap, but many 2022 EVs come with free charging incentives that sweeten the deal. If you travel America’s interstates often, you’ll want to check out these free charging incentives. It adds up quickly!
Audi e-tron Free Charging: Electrify America
The new Audi Q4 e-tron includes 250kWh of complimentary charging at Electrify America. Audi e-tron GT buyers get three years of free charging at Electrify America. With an EPA-rated range of 241 miles with a 77 kilowatt-hour battery pack, you’ll be good to go for plenty of charging stops. The Q4 e-tron will take about 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. The much pricier e-tron GT can do the same in as little as 22 minutes.
BMX i4 and iX Free Charging: Electrify America
The 2022 BMW iX SUV and i4 electric sedan will come with two years of 30-minute complimentary charging sessions at Electrify America charging stations. Depending on how much you travel, that could save you a few thousand dollars in public charging costs!
Chevrolet Bolt: Free Level 2 Charger Installation
This is a better deal than it sounds. Level 2 home charging is not cheap to install, unless you’re lucky enough to live where incentives abound. Chevrolet will cover standard installation of a Level 2 charging outlet for customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV. Learn more here. Here’s our review of the 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUV.
The 2023 Fisker Ocean is looking like it will be a popular electric crossover once it arrives. Fisker has partnered with Electrify America, however it’s not been shared if there will be a complimentary charging incentive for Ocean drivers. Regardless, it’s an amazing vehicle (on paper for now). We’re big fans of the innovative Fisker Flexee lease program.
Ford F-150 Lightning Free Charging: Electrify America
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro
Yes, the truck we’ve all been waiting for does come with 250 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America. That’s equal to about two and a half fill-ups, or enough to drive about 700 to 800 miles in the F-150 Lightning. Once the incentive expires, expect a big charging session at Electrify America to cost about $25-35 in the F-150 Lightning. Learn more about the 2022 F-150 Lightning here.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Free Charging: Electrify America
Just like the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E drivers will get 250 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America. That’s enough to have about three or four free charging sessions on your first road trip. Here’s our review of the 2022 Mustang Mach-E, which by the way is one of the top-selling EVs in America (but still far behind Tesla).
Genesis GV60 Free Charging: Electrify America
The Genesis GV60 is the upscale sibling to my very own Hyundai IONIQ 5, but it comes with an even better charging incentive. Genesis GV60 buyers will get free 30-minute charging sessions for three years at Electrify America.
Hyundai IONIQ 5: Electrify America
Hyundai and Kia have raced towards the top of the EV sales charts since launching their twin electric crossovers (some would argue they’re oversized hatchbacks). The Hyundai IONIQ 5 comes with two years of unlimited 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America’s 800 stations nationwide. Electrify America is growing quickly, so it’s likely there are more than a few EA chargers along your most frequented routes.
I recently bought an all-wheel drive IONIQ 5 Limited, and I love it. Here’s how I bought one at MSRP (no markup!), plus all you ever wanted to know about the vehicle in this CarEdge review.
Kia EV6: Electrify America
Kia decided to do things differently when setting up their partnership with Electrify America. EV6 owners 1,000 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America stations. The EA incentive expires after three years. With the efficiency of the Kia EV6, 1,000 kWh of free charging is likely to be good for about 3,500 miles of driving. Full review of the Kia EV6
Lucid Air Free Charging: Electrify America
Lucid has EXTENDED their free charging partnership with Electrify America. Now, all Lucid customers who place their vehicle order before June 30, 2022 will get three years of free charging at Electrify America. Better get that wallet out! The Lucid Air starts at $77,400, however prices for top-level trims exceed $170,000. See the details here.
Nissan Leaf Free Charging: EVgo
America’s first mass-market electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, is still a solid bargain in 2022.
Drivers purchasing or leasing a new Nissan LEAF receive $250 EVgo charging credits, which could last you a while with the Leaf’s 150 to 226 mile range. Here are the details from EVgo.
Nissan Ariya Free Charging: EVgo
The first 10,000 customers who reserved a 2023 Nissan Ariya by January 31, 2022 get a $500 credit for EVgo’s growing network of charging stations. If you’re just now thinking about buying an Ariya, it’s a bit too late. Still, the Ariya is looking to be one of the nicest Nissan’s ever. Is it worth the price tag? Here’s what we think.
EVgo charging locations and roaming partners
Polestar 2 Free Charging: Electrify America
The Polestar 2 has several advantages over its competitors: it’s available now, starts under 50 grand, and features a no-haggle direct-to-consumer price. Another benefit of the Polestar 2 is a free charging incentive. The Polestar 2 comes with two years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. That could save drivers thousands of dollars, depending on how many road trips you take.
Rivian Free Charging: Rivian Adventure Network
Although it’s fantastic that Rivian is building its own charging network (like Tesla did), it’s a bit of a letdown for Rivian buyers who hoped to get a free charging incentive at Electrify America. The map below is where Rivian plans to have Adventure Network chargers, NOT where they currently are. All buyers of the Rivian R1T electric truck and R1S electric full-sized SUV will get one year of free charging on the Rivian Adventure Network.
Note: This map reflects Rivian’s plans for the future of the Adventure Network.
The upside? This charging network will be specializing in rural destinations like National Parks, National Forests and the like. That will be transformative for charging in America.
Subaru Solterra: No Charging Incentive Yet
Despite announcing a ‘partnership’ with America’s third-largest charging network EVgo, there’s no free charging incentive for now. As mentioned above, EVgo has 800 public fast-charging locations and 1,200 Level 2 charging stalls spanning 68 metropolitan areas and 35 states.
Although we’re a Subaru household (prior to taking ownership of our new IONIQ 5), the Solterra EV’s range, charging speed and price are a real bummer. Here’s our full review of the 2023 Subaru Solterra.
Tesla Free Charging? Not Anymore
Back in the early days of the Model S, Tesla did offer insanely good free charging incentives on its young Supercharger network. From 2012 to 2018, some Tesla vehicles had free charging for life. If you’re looking for free charging or generous federal EV incentives, you’ll have to shop elsewhere.
Toyota bZ4X Free Charging: EVgo
The all-new Toyota bZ4X electric crossover takes an hour to charge (at a ‘fast’ charger), has merely okay range, and isn’t all that affordable, but at least you get one year of free charging at EVgo’s network of chargers. EVgo has 800 public fast-charging locations and 1,200 Level 2 charging stalls in 35 states. Here’s why we aren’t fans of the bZ4X. Just buy a RAV4 Prime! That’s probably what Toyota wants you to do anyway.
Volkswagen ID.4 Free Charging: Electrify America
The ID.4 has one of the best free charging incentives available today. Although the 2021 model year’s offer of three years of UNLIMITED free charging has ended, the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 includes three years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. With the 2022 model’s quicker charging rate and improved charging curve, this should be enough for most sessions to be free. Rarely will ID.4 drivers need to stay plugged in for more than 30 minutes at a DC fast charger. Full review of the VW ID.4
Volvo Free Charging: Electrify America
Buyers of the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge get 250 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America. But that’s not all: Volvo is also enticing drivers with a year of free access to Electrify America’s Pass+ membership, which offers charging at a discounted rate. The Pass+ membership offers charging at about 30% lower rates than using the network as a guest, but membership normally costs $4 per month.
CarEdge’s Take
Making the switch to an electric vehicle would be a no-brainer if they weren’t so darn expensive. It’s hard to find a cheap EV, but a few are out there. For many, free charging incentives are compelling enough to close the deal. Personally, I’ve saved a few hundred dollars in charging costs over the first few months of EV ownership by using my IONIQ 5’s Electrify America incentive.
This begs the question: would you rather have faster charging times, or longer range? Does stopping for 15 minutes every 200 miles sound better than stopping for 45 minutes every 300? Let us know what you think the future of EV charging should look like. One thing is for sure, EVs are coming to roads near you.
