CarEdge Insights
CarEdge saved me over 4,500 dollars on a brand new Honda Pilot. I can't say thank you enough.
Price intelligence
Find a wide range of vehicle listings with market insights on new and used listings near you.
5 Cars to Buy in 2022
CarEdge recently shared 5 vehicles to avoid in 2022. What about the best deals on the market today? These five vehicles have high resale values, excellent reliability, and reasonable prices. If you’re looking to make a purchase you won’t regret, these 5 models are safe bets. Here are the best cars to buy in 2022.
Subaru Forester
Why are there so many Subarus on the road these days? Drivers love their all-wheel drive crossovers, and Subaru represents the best of the best. Subarus consistently retain unusually high resale values, and that helps to soften the impact of today’s higher prices. The Subaru Forester is known for solid reliability (especially in older models) and class-leading safety ratings. Today’s Subarus also get decent fuel economy, especially on the highway. All-wheel drive and a comfortable, spacious interior make the Subaru Forester the ultimate all-weather roadtripper. The challenge will be finding one. Subaru has been hit hard by the chip shortage, but things may improve later this year.
Mazda CX-30
Reviewers and owners love the agile handling, generous interior of the Mazda CX-30. New for 2022, the CX-30 now comes with standard all-wheel drive and a more plush interior. In today’s market, the CX-30 represents the best value within the Mazda line. The Mazda CX-30 is ‘only’ up 23%, much less than the overall Mazda brand, which is up 35% year-over-year. Cost of ownership is relatively low for the CX-30, and a great factory warranty offers peace of mind. This is the Mazda to buy in 2022.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
This retro-inspired family-sized electric crossover is sure to stand out on the road. Over the past few decades, Hyundai has completely transformed its reputation in North America. Now, Hyundai’s push to electrification sees the brand strengthening its image as a tech-savvy and reliable automaker. The IONIQ 5 is the fastest charging electric vehicle you can buy for under $50,000. Two years of FREE charging at Electrify America can save frequent travelers thousands of dollars. The $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles is icing on the cake. We recently covered the IONIQ 5 in-depth at CarEdge, check out our first look here.
Toyota RAV4 Prime
You’re probably not shocked to see Toyota on the list of the 5 best cars to buy in 2022. Over the past year, the Toyota RAV4 Prime has not appreciated to the extent that many of its competitors have. The RAV4 Prime combines Toyota’s superior build quality with an innovative powertrain meant to bridge the gap between combustion and EVs. Expected resale value is 67% after five years, which is incredible.
The 2022 RAV4 Prime features a spacious interior and a surprising amount of power with a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. If you’re thinking about going electric but can’t quite overcome range anxiety, this is the vehicle for you. There’s a hybrid engine (gas-powered) under the hood, an electric motor up at the front, and another electric motor powering the rear axle. These three power plants combine forces to provide standard all-wheel drive, the option of all-electric driving, and range-boosting hybrid mode when going the distance. You can plug in, but you don’t have to. The RAV4 Prime is a future-proof Toyota at under $50,000!
Toyota Tacoma
Low cost of ownership, plenty of utility and the highest resale value on the market earns the Toyota Tacoma top honors. After five years of ownership, you can expect to retain 79% of the original value with the Tacoma. That is remarkable! The 2023 Tacoma refresh brings a new engine and muscular looks to the popular truck. The Tacoma is a safe bet in the crazy auto market in 2022. Your best chance to get one is to put your name on a dealer allocation. The Tacoma doesn’t sit on the lot for very long with value like this.
Bonus – Another Toyota!
The Toyota Highlander is a family-sized SUV with great resale value. Toyota as a brand is up 40% on the used car market, but the spacious and reliable Highlander is ‘only’ up 33%. Not bad considering today’s circumstances. J.D. Power gives the Toyota Highlander top scores for reliability.
CarEdge Is Here to Empower the Consumer
Did we miss anything? What would your list look like? Let us know if you agree with our CarEdge top picks. If you think we missed the mark, we’d love to hear your top cars to buy in 2022.
Don’t forget to check out the CarEdge list of 5 vehicles to avoid in 2022. Our picks came as a shock to some, but we shared exactly why you should steer clear of these models for now.
It’s a strange time to be in the market for a vehicle. Don’t go it alone! At caredge.kinsta.cloud, we strive to empower the consumer with car buying know-how that makes finding your next vehicle less of a pain. CarEdge Car Search provides unique auto industry insights that other car listings don’t show you. CarEdge TotalPrice™ shows you the out-the-door price so that you know what to expect before you walk into the dealership.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
States Are About to Receive Big Checks for Installing Electric Vehicle Chargers
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed by Congress and signed into law in November allocated federal funding for the build-out of a National Charging Network as soon as possible. In official guidance released by the Biden administration on Thursday, new details were announced for the first phases of implementation.
Nearly $5 billion in funding will be available for installing DC fast chargers over the next five years. DC fast chargers enable an electric vehicle to charge to full in as little as 20 minutes. While crucial for the mass adoption of EVs in America, DC fast chargers are expensive to install, often costing over $100,000 per location.
US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that the government will make $615 million available for use in 2022. In order to have access to their own piece of the pie, states must submit a plan and win approval before funds are dispersed this year.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
Interstate Highways to Be Prioritized First
Thursday’s new guidance says that states should specifically fund the installation of DC fast chargers along interstate highways. The goal should be to fund the installation of fast chargers every 50 miles along the highway to make long-distance travel much easier for drivers of electric vehicles.
The federal government expects private entities to take on the charger installations. We’ll likely see a lot more Electrify America and Tesla Supercharger stations in the next few years, as well as the likes of lesser-known charging providers like EVgo and ChargePoint picking up business. Federal funds will cover 80% of DC fast charger installation costs, with private or state funds filling in the gaps.
Following charger network buildout along interstate highways, the guidance recommends that states work to install chargers in other underserved areas, such as rural areas and lower-income urban areas.
If you’re into policymaking jargon, you can read the entire guidance at the Department of Transportation.
Revisions to the EV Tax Credit Hang in the Balance
Congress axed the Build Back Better Bill in its current form back in December. For now, the electric vehicle tax credit remains a $7,500 value for those who owe as much in federal taxes. Tesla and GM have already exhausted their allocation for the tax credit. Unless revisions to the EV tax credit are passed by Congress, Tesla and GM will not qualify in 2022.
CarEdge will stay on top of the latest electric vehicle news. The 2020s are becoming the whirring 20s as automakers transition away from fossil fuels and invest half a trillion dollars in electrification. It looks like a National Charging Network is just a few years away. Join our weekly newsletter for all of the latest EV and automotive industry news, always with a consumer focus.
Another Tesla Recall: Goodbye Tesla Boombox?
The word “recall” sure is thrown around loosely these days. By now, you likely know that Tesla fixes the vast majority of recalls with an over-the-air software update. In the tenth recall in just four months, Tesla is addressing a pedestrian safety concern brought up by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
During the 2020 holiday season, Tesla sent a gift of sorts to all of their customers. The cars received an update that turned the external speakers into a boombox. The Tesla Boombox can play a number of customizable sounds (music, jokes, fart noises…) out of the same speakers that are meant to alert pedestrians of the approaching, silent electric car. It’s the customizable feature that seems to be at the center of this recall. Under certain circumstances, the Boombox can disrupt the federally-mandated pedestrian warning risk sounds.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
No Need For a Service Center Visit
In typical Tesla fashion, the pioneering automaker will push an over-the-air update to all of the affected cars. Tesla cars just need a WiFi connection to receive these frequent updates. Some OTA updates even increase performance or battery life.
Check out Tesla’s official response to the NHTSA investigation here. It’s interesting to observe the automaker interacting with the federal agency that is always on their case. Here’s how simple the Tesla Boombox recall remedy is:
“Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022.”
Tesla Boombox will only work in Park mode it seems. Perhaps that was common sense all along? Tesla’s engineers typically work quickly to send such urgent recall fixes over-the-air. While the notice says that owners will receive notices by mail in April, it’s very likely that the remedy will update cars much sooner.
The Tesla Advantage
Lots of people aren’t fans of Tesla for one reason or another. However the EV pioneer does have an undeniable advantage when it comes to updating their vehicles. With well over 2 million Tesla vehicles on the road today, OTA updates are a key selling point for car buyers in the electric vehicle market. Other automakers are rushing to implement the capability in their future models, as seen by recent announcements from GM, Ford and literally every EV startup today.
We recently took a deep dive into over-the-air updates, and shared automaker plans for adding the feature to their lineups. Learn more about OTA update capabilities.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Does the Tesla Boombox recall make sense? Would you buy a Tesla? Does OTA update capability factor into your decision?
5 Cars to Avoid in 2022
What do these five cars have in common? They stink for one reason or another. Transportation is the second biggest purchase most people will ever make, so it’s important to get it right. With the automotive market at all-time highs, it wouldn’t be a good time to have buyers remorse. Here are five cars to avoid in 2022, and why you should steer clear of them.
Chevrolet Bolt
Right now, the socially-distancing Chevrolet Bolt is up a shocking 42% since a year ago. Why do so many people want to buy a rolling fire hazard? Dealerships aren’t even allowed to sell Bolts until they work through the backlog of recall fixes. The stop-sale may come to an end soon, but does that mean you should buy one? With the lowest charging speeds on the market and a damaged reputation, don’t buy a Bolt. Plus, it’s likely to be discontinued! GM doesn’t mention the Bolt in their future roadmaps for electrification. If you really want an affordable electric vehicle from GM, CEO Mary Barra is touting the Chevrolet Equinox EV just around the corner. Do you know how long it takes to charge a Chevy Bolt to full at a public fast charger like Electrify America? An hour and 20 minutes. So many EVs on the market today charge up in half that time. Please don’t buy a Bolt!
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
Mitsubishi Mirage
The world needs more affordable cars, but the Mitsubishi Mirage has appreciated way too much to justify the purchase. This sub-compact car has appreciated over 52% on the used vehicle market since 2020. The average used Mirage sells for $14,404, which is amazing considering a new one costs $14,600. The Mirage has some of the worst performance and comfort ratings in existence. It’s noted for ‘seats that feel more like cloth-covered chairs’ as Edmunds put it. Car and Driver gave in 2.5 stars out of TEN. It’s always best to buy and hold, rather than taking a big hit on depreciation after driving off the lot. Is the Mitsubishi Mirage a car you’d want to keep for a decade? probably not.
Ford Transit
Now is not the time to buy a van. Full-sized vans have appreciated by 55% this past year, and minivans have jumped 42%. While the Ford Transit starts at an MSRP around $35,000, most dealers are asking over $48,000 for the base trim. The Transit is a solid van with great utility, but there’s no way its long term value will reflect the current price. That could be said about most cars on the market now, but 55% appreciation is through the roof. You’re buying a van, not a house.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Sometimes, a vehicle is too popular. If you are determined to get yourself into a Hyundai Santa Fe in 2022, expect it to come at a substantial cost. Year-over-year, prices for the Santa Fe are up 48%! On top of unattractive prices, the Santa Fe is involved in a major recall affecting half a million cars. While most consumers are happy with their Hyundai SUVs, Consumer Reports recently stopped recommending the Santa Fe due to poor reliability. Once the chip shortage ends, resale values will drop. Don’t get stuck with a vehicle you paid 48% appreciation for!
Anything from Carvana or Vroom
No pre-purchase inspection? Not okay! Want to buy a used car with fast food still in the back seat? Want to make sure you DON’T get your title anytime soon? I don’t think you do. Selling to Carvana or Vroom might make you a pretty penny, but buying from Carvana could be a disaster. The ongoing Carvana lawsuit makes for an uncertain future for Carvana. It’s best to stay out of that mess and take your money elsewhere, at least for the time being. In today’s world, a pre-purchase inspection is a must-have for any used vehicle. Sure, there may be a 7-day return period, but it’s a huge pain to undo a big-money transaction like buying a car. Don’t do it!
These are cars to avoid in 2022 if your goal is to make a purchase you won’t regret. What about the five cars to buy in 2022? Here’s our list of the top buys in the market right now.
Updated: The Bridge to Detroit Is Closed, And Now Automakers Are Halting Production
Update 2/10/2022: The situation on the US – Canada border continues to get worse. Now, GM’s Lansing Delta Plant is shut down for the day. The plant, which employs 2,000 workers, builds the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave crossovers. Automotive News reports that Stellantis shortened shifts for their production plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario. Ford’s two engine-making plants in Ontario are operating at reduced capacities too. Toyota seems to be hit pretty hard too. Toyota does not expect any production in its Ontario facilities for the rest of the week. Check back for the latest updates.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
A blockade at the US-Canada border threatens to amplify the magnitude of the ongoing supply shortage that’s been gripping the automotive industry for the greater part of the last year. The general consensus is that Detroit automakers could weather a two-day blockade without severe interruptions. It’s day three, and both sides of the international automotive supply chain are preparing for significant disruptions.
Across Canada, truckers are protesting the federal vaccine mandate. The protests first began to disrupt cross-border traffic on Monday. One-quarter of all goods traded between the two countries passes through the Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario. The corridor is crucial for $100 billion in trade annually. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority estimates that 7,000 trucks cross the bridge every day.
Traffic from Canada to the US reopened Tuesday afternoon, but traffic in the opposite direction remains closed. With protests ongoing and spreading to other ports of entry, the threat of major disruption remains.
Automotive Suppliers Are On Edge
Robert Wildeboer of tier-one automotive supplier Martinrea International told Canadian news outlet BNN Bloomberg that the clock is ticking for the whole cross-border supply chain.
“Basically if there’s a shutdown of transportation routes, the auto industry comes to a screeching halt in about two days,” said Wildeboer on Tuesday. Martinrea has 38 trucks of automotive parts crossing the Ambassador Bridge into Detroit daily.
The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association is not too happy about the blockade either. Association Head Flavio Volpe denounced the blockade on social media and called for an immediate end to the disruptions.
Automotive News reports that the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association is calling for an immediate end to the protests that threaten jobs and vehicle production on both sides of the border.
“Blockades at Canada’s borders are threatening fragile supply chains already under pressure due to pandemic related shortages and backlogs,” CVMA CEO Brian Kingston said in a statement. Vehicles and automotive parts are Canada’s second largest export, worth $52 billion each year. Automotive products account for 23% of all Canadian exports, second only to natural resources.
Not all of Canada’s truckers are protesting. The Teamsters Union says that in Canada, truckers are worried about the harm being done by the protesters at the border. The Teamsters Union worries that the disruptive actions of the protestors delegitimize the real concerns of most Canadian truck drivers.
Consumer Impacts?
If the Canadian blockade continues, we expect production capacity to screech to a halt. As a result, dealer lots will empty even further, and prices will rise yet again. Dealer profits remain at record highs despite inventory remaining at record lows. Can the mismatch between supply and demand get any worse? Unfortunately, it’s now possible. In Canada, truckers are the vital link in the critical supply chain connecting the two countries. The latest developments at the border complicate an already slow recovery for the industry.
Buying a Car? Check Out CarEdge’s New Car Search For Empowering Industry Pro
We have thousands of EVs (and other vehicles) listed today. Each listing includes industry insights and empowering data. The true TotalPrice that will make buying a car the transparent process it should’ve always been. Check it out!
Hyundai and Kia Recall 500,000 Vehicles For Fire Risk. Park These Models Outside!
In today’s reminder that combustion vehicles are more fire-prone than electric cars, Korean giants Hyundai and Kia are issuing a recall for half a million American cars, according to an announcement by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“Kia Motors America and Hyundai Motor America recommend that owners of select model year 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, 2016-2018 Kia K900 and 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles park their vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures due to a risk of fire, even if the vehicle is turned off.”
The recall affects 126,747 Kia vehicles and 357,830 Hyundai vehicles in the United States. The NHTSA statement says that Kia and Hyundai have identified an increasing risk of an engine compartment fire.
“Although the cause remains unknown, the manufacturers believe an electrical component in the anti-lock brake system may experience an internal electrical short circuit that could increase the risk of fire both while the vehicle is being driven or parked.”
If you or someone you know have been impacted by this recall, visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls to find out if a specific VIN number is affected. If it is, the owner should park their vehicle outdoors until the recall repair is completed.
Nissan Is Ending Most Combustion Engine Development, Shifting Focus to Electric Cars
Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta confirmed earlier reports that Nissan will end development of new internal combustion engines in all major markets except the US. Speaking at Nissan’s shareholder meeting, Gupta assured investors that engine development will continue ‘where it makes sense.’ Tightening emissions regulations in Europe and beyond are driving the Japanese automaker to focus on electric vehicle development. Development of the next Nissan electric car is making headway following a decade of increasing competition. It’s not certain how long combustion engine development will continue in America.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
Fans of the Nissan Z Can Rest Assured
Mr. Gupta said that Nissan plans to continue development of combustion engines for the popular redesigned Z sports car and Rogue crossover, as well as any other popular gas-powered vehicles in the United States and select markets. Nissan’s electric car lineup remains limited through at least the next year, despite the major shift taking place in the engineering department.
Nissan is the first Japanese automaker to make such an announcement. Toyota has steadfastly continued down the hybrid powertrain path. Toyota’s first full-electric vehicle, the Toyota bZ4X, was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will hit showrooms later this year. The 2024 Honda Prologue is still over a year away. Nissan’s move harkens back to their pioneering leadership in EVs. Nissan electric cars were among the best-selling EVs for years. From 2011-2015, the Nissan Leaf was the best-selling EV in America. Until Tesla took the title in 2016, Nissan was the face of electrification.
Europe Impacted First
Nissan has already ceased combustion engine development for the European market. Stringent emissions standards will get even tighter in 2025, effectively turning gas-powered cars into a financial risk for automakers. Policymakers worldwide are incentivizing electric vehicles in order to drastically reduce tailpipe emissions from the 1.4 billion motor vehicles in the world today.
Nissan Electric Car Enthusiasts Welcome the 2023 Ariya
It took a decade for Nissan to come up with a companion for the popular Nissan Leaf electric car, but at last it’s here. The 2023 Nissan Ariya is a near-luxury electric crossover that’s coming to North America in 2022. The Ariya features a sleek design inspired by Japanese tradition inside and out. Range is expected to be on par with class leaders, coming in around 265 – 300 miles on a charge. Learn more about Nissan Ariya pricing, performance and trim options in our recent Nissan Ariya First Look.
Wholesale Used Car Prices Level Off in January. Is This the Peak?
Following continued appreciation in December, used car prices were nearly flat in January 2022. The latest data from Cox Automotive’s Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index shows a seasonally-adjusted increase of just 0.04% since December 2021. Does this mean that used car prices have peaked?
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
Industry data analysts at Cox Automotive noted that used vehicle sales were down 0.8% in January year-over-year. Older models saw prices remain stable, while more recent model years had modest price declines. Average wholesale prices for 3-year-old vehicles dropped by 2.9% last month.
Black Book’s Used Vehicle Retention Index grew just 0.6% in January, its lowest monthly rate of increase since last summer. Wholesale prices dropped slightly last month, but it was a smaller decline than is typical for the annual January slowdown. Seasonally adjusted wholesale prices increased slightly according to Black Book.
So far in February, wholesale used car price have fallen even more rapidly. The latest data from Black Book from 2/8 shows a .5% week-over-week decline in used car prices.
Sellers Think This Is the Top
Car-buying app CoPilot noted that for their business, used car prices peaked around the beginning of the new year, and have since fallen 1.4%. Similarly, Automotive News reports that TrueCar data shows a 2% drop in used car prices from December to January.
CoPilot notes that prices for models that are one to three years old saw the greatest declines. Autos in this age category have seen wholesale prices decline by about 2% since the early January peak. Older models dropped 1% on average.
Used Car Prices Remain High: A Bit of Perspective
Although the data from Cox, CoPilot and TrueCar suggest that peak prices may have occurred in early January, used car prices remain near all-time highs. Year-over-year, Cox’s data shows that prices in January were 41% higher than a year earlier. Since January 2021, van prices are up by nearly 60%! Compact cars like the Mitsubishi Mirage have seen prices climb by 52% over the same period. Trucks and luxury cars lagged the overall market, but they’re still 30-50% more expensive than a year ago.
It’s important to remember that industry analysts are much better at interpreting past results than they are at predicting the future. Last summer, a ‘false peak’ was followed by slight declines in used car prices. However, prices climbed higher yet again in the fall.
January and February are a historical low point in auto sales. The spring buying season is just around the corner. Tax refunds are on the way, but many households will be receiving less than they normally do because of the advanced Child Tax Credit payments. Still, there remains a real possibility that prices will climb further as we head into spring.
Are High Prices Here to Stay?
CarEdge consumer advocate and industry veteran Ray Shefska sees the rationale for higher prices sticking around. First off, the semiconductor ‘chip’ shortage is sticking with us longer than anticipated. That alone will reduce new car inventory through at least the first half of 2022. General Motors CEO Mary Barra anticipates chip shortage improvements by the second half of 2022, however some chip makers are tempering expectations.
And then there’s inflation. Just as car inventory climbs back to the new normal, automakers are likely to pass on the higher costs of raw materials and manufacturing components to consumers through higher MSRPs. As expected, dealers will follow suit with higher sticker prices. We’ve been watching incentives slip away, and that’s likely to continue. In other words, used car prices may remain in high demand as new car prices rise to levels that are unattainable for many consumers. Not everyone is okay with a $700 monthly payment!
Furthermore, the era of cheap money is likely nearing its end. The US Federal Reserve has indicated that it will soon raise historically low interest rates to combat inflation. Low interest rates have shielded consumers from the out-of-this-world rise in car prices over the past year or so. Car buyers have also been committing to longer-term car loans, and it didn’t matter as much with interest rates so low. As rates climb, that 72 month loan won’t look so pretty on paper.
CarEdge Just Launched a New Search Engine to Make Buying Your Next Car Easier!
We have thousands of EVs (and other vehicles) listed today. Each listing includes industry insights and empowering data. The true TotalPrice that will make buying a car the transparent process it should’ve always been. Check it out here!
Electric Vehicle Sales Double in 2021. Can Chargers Keep Up?
Electric vehicles now make up 9% of the global market, and 4.5% of American auto sales. Estimates vary, but many analysts expect electric vehicle sales to reach 40% market share in 2030. Will their crystal ball prove correct? It’s now looking possible. New data from the International Energy Agency beat previous forecasts by 26%. In 2020, Loren McDonald of EVAdoption predicted that electric vehicle sales would make up 3.55% of the US market in 2021. With the official tally now coming in a full percentage point higher, the electric momentum is accelerating. When the chip shortage finally ends, the production of EVs will likely be prioritized by automakers. Considering the massive half-trillion dollar investments OEMs have committed to electrifying their lineups, I’m sure they’re happy to see that there’s a growing market for their future products.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
Tesla Supercharger Installations Can’t Keep Up With Incredible Demand
Tesla’s pioneering Supercharger network of DC fast chargers remains the industry standard for electric vehicle charging. With 3,476 locations, hassle-free plug-and-charge and consistent reliability, only Electrify America has come remotely close to what Tesla offers. For the past decade, Superchargers have been known for convenience and accessibility, but a few pending developments could change that. Here’s what we’re watching:
Sales Continue to Outpace Charger Installations
Tesla continues to dominate electric vehicle sales in America and abroad. In 2021, Tesla year-over-year sales grew 87% to 936,172 vehicles globally. In the United States, Cox Automotive estimates that Tesla delivered 352,472 vehicles to customers. Tesla’s 2021 sales were enough to (probably) unseat BMW as luxury sales leader in the US.
In 2021, Tesla installed 8,221 new Superchargers at 912 stations around the world. This represents 35% growth in just one year, a huge accomplishment for the EV leader. However, will it be enough? Sales have been outpacing Supercharger growth for years now. The vast majority of charging stations never see a crowd, but that could change soon as Tesla’s zero-hassle sales model and superior technology have drawn more buyers to the brand.
Tesla Opens Up Some Chargers to Non-Tesla EVs
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confused Tesla owners and thrilled non-Tesla owners when he shared the company’s intentions to open up some Superchargers to non-Tesla cars. In early 2022, several Supercharger locations in France, Norway and the Netherlands are open to all. If open access spreads to North America, Superchargers will see a flood of traffic as Ford Mustang Mach-E’s, Volkswagen ID.4’s, Hyundai IONIQ 5’s and dozens of other models gain access to America’s largest fast charging network.
Electrify America Races to Catch Up
Something positive came out of Volkswagen’s dieselgate debacle. As part of a 2016 settlement with the United States Environmental protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, VW was ordered to spend $2 billion on something that would clean up the air. The result was the birth of Electrify America.
After installing their first chargers in 2018, Electrify America now has 3,500 charging stations at 800 locations around the US. The big difference between Electrify America and Tesla Superchargers is accessibility. Any electric vehicle can pull up to an EA station to charge. Only Tesla models are allowed to charge at Superchargers, except for select Superchargers in Europe that are open to all.
Electrify America has its faults though. Drivers often encounter out-of-order chargers, and most vehicles are not yet compatible with the convenient plug-and-charge capability that you’ll find at Tesla Superchargers. Reports indicate that reliability is improving at Electrify America, and several automakers say their new EVs will have seamless plug-and-charge capability.
What Does the Future Hold?
Tesla’s record growth is great news for the automaker, but the picture is more complicated for Tesla owners. Tesla Superchargers in California and East Coast hotspots already fill up during peak travel. You could argue that gas stations do too, but waiting in line to plug in and then wait another 20 minutes to charge is not the same thing.
Fortunately, charging is about to get a lot easier in America. Public and private partnerships are currently designing a National Charging Network that will bring charging to remote locations and more American highways. The Supercharger network will continue to grow, as evidenced by the hundreds of ‘coming soon’ locations just added to the Tesla Supercharger map.
Some gas stations are getting into the charging game. Why don’t more add DC fast chargers to their parking lots? DC fast charger installation is expensive. We’re talking over $100,000 in most cases. Public-private partnerships appear set on helping businesses overcome the prohibitive costs of installing chargers. That would certainly benefit a rapidly electrifying nation of drivers.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Better yet, connect with auto experts and fellow car enthusiasts at caredge.kinsta.cloud/community, where we work for YOU.
The 2022 F-150 Lighting: Pricing, Specs and Why This Is the Swiss Army Knife of Trucks
Over the past year, electric trucks have gone from nothing to the most-watched vehicle segment on the planet. Back in the pre-pandemic good ol’ days of 2019, electric trucks were relegated to the concepts of startup fantasies like Rivian, Nikola and Bollinger. Tesla’s Cybertruck was the first to be unveiled in November of 2019, however it’s still at least a year away from production. In 2022, buyers have two to choose from: The $100,000+ GMC Hummer EV, and the mid-size luxury-oriented Rivian R1T, which starts over $70,000. Electric trucks have remained out of reach for the average consumer.
Get the most when you sell your car.
Compare and choose multiple offers in minutes:
This is where Ford has a chance to really make a splash in the market. With the best-selling F-150 being the unofficial symbol of working America, it’s only natural that the F-150 gets the honor of being the first electric truck for the masses. Even better, it’s going to offer features and utility that no truck has ever seen before. The anticipation is building.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning may not turn heads like the Cybertruck, but the Lightning’s capabilities are astounding. What exactly makes the F-150 Lightning so innovative, and will it overtake Tesla as the face of electric trucks?
Here’s What Stands Out With the F-150 Lightning
- It’s the most powerful F-150 ever
- You can power tools, other EVs and even your entire home with the truck
- The Lightning looks normal, but features state-of-the-art technology
- The front trunk is bigger than most regular trunks
- 320 miles of range
- 2022 F-150 Lightning pricing won’t break the bank
The 2022 F-150 Lightning Reimagines Truck Capability
Look, I get it. Most traditional truck buyers don’t follow the latest and greatest in the EV space. What does matter, however, is the utility of the truck they drive. Can it get the job done reliably?
Ford’s most anticipated electric vehicle is not the Mustang Mach-E. It’s not an electric Explorer. It’s without a doubt the 2022 F-150 Lightning electric truck. For well over 30 years, the F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America. Now that Ford expects 40% to 50% of its global sales to be fully electric by 2030, how does the F-150 fit into the picture?
Ford has made it clear that they intend to entice traditional truck buyers into an electric F-150, while also attracting new consumers to the brand. So far, it seems to be working like a charm. As of January 2022, Ford has 200,000 reservations for the F-150 Lightning in the books. This truck hasn’t even entered series production yet and it’s already sold out until 2024.
Light Bars and Typical F-150 Looks
On the exterior, the Lightning looks a lot like a combustion-powered F-150. The distinguishing features are daytime-running light bars across the top of the front grille and across the tailgate in the back. The Lightning also has aero wheel options to improve efficiency for maximum range. They don’t look silly like some aero wheels do. Other than that, you really have to stare at it to notice the Lightning is any different. Three new faux grille options are there for looks. With an EV, the grille merely protects the spacious front trunk.
The charge port right in front of the driver’s door doubles as a name plate. Ford intentionally designed the exterior to appeal to traditional truck buyers. Not everyone wants a spaceship.
Interior: A Huge Touchscreen Tops Off a Classic Interior
The F-150 Lightning is only offered in crew cab configurations. The interior dimensions are the same as the gas-powered F-150, but that’s a compliment. Plenty of space up front, and lots in the back. Up front, the biggest difference is the 15.5” infotainment screen. It’s only in the higher trims of the Lightning for now, but it’s probably a sign of what’s to come for the whole lineup. Everything from drive modes to towing configurations and entertainment is all accessed through the huge vertical screen. Climate controls are always fixed at the bottom of the display, although it’s still a touch-screen feature. Sorry physical button enthusiasts!
Utility reigns supreme in the F-150 Lightning electric truck. The center console folds down into a work desk, but that’s a feature that combustion-powered versions also have. The rear seats offer the same generous space that you’ll find in the gas equivalent, including under-seat storage. Available Max Recline Seats offer nearly 180 degrees of recline. Perhaps a charging nap is in your future?
American-Made Batteries Power Dual Electric Motors
The 2022 F-150 Lightning is powered by dual electric motors, each of which could fit inside a duffel bag. The electric motors are powered by large lithium-ion batteries produced through a joint venture with SK Innovation in Georgia. American-made batteries for American-made EVs! That’s not as common as you’d think.
The F-150 Lightning’s battery lives under the floor of the truck, where it’s out of the way and secured in a waterproof casing surrounded by crash-absorption protection. Ford says the battery was designed with extreme weather and abuse in mind. It can handle off-road adventure like a champ. Innovative thermal management keeps the battery at optimum temperatures.
The base ‘standard range’ battery is a 98 kilowatt-hour (kWh) usable lithium-ion battery. Stepping up to the extended range configuration gets you a 131 kWh battery pack built from the same chemistry. This extended-range battery offers more towing, a lot more performance, but less payload. Why less payload? The bigger battery is much heavier. The F-150 Lightning weighs 6,500 pounds!
The base standard range battery supplies the two motors with 425 HP and 775 lb-ft of torque. The extended range battery opens up to 565 HP and the same 775 lb-ft of torque. Notably, four-wheel drive is standard across all trims. One motor is located at the front axle, and another is in the rear. Both the battery and motors get metal skid plates that shield the underbody from impacts, water and the elements for durability.
Range
The official EPA numbers are out! The standard range battery is rated for 230 miles on a charge, and the available extended range battery is good for 320 miles. The final EPA numbers exceed what Ford had previously estimated. Ford engineers have fueled rumors that the Lightning’s range estimates are calculated with 1,000 pounds of payload included. With an empty bed, the F-150 Lightning may go even further on a single charge.
Drive Modes
Ford offers four drive modes: normal, sport, off-road, and haul. Additional settings include one-pedal driving (a Tesla favorite) and the option to lock the differential with the touch of a button. Why would you want a sport mode on your F-150? The Lightning launches to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds!
Fast-Charging Capability, At Home and On the Road
More than 80% of electric vehicle charging is done at home. Ford is the only automaker to offer an 80-amp charge station as standard equipment. At home, the F-150 Lightning adds an average range of 30 miles per charging hour, fully charging an extended-range truck from 15% to 100% percent in about eight hours. Keep in mind that the truck charges overnight while you’re sound asleep. EV owners typically wake up each morning with a full battery to start the day.
At a public DC fast charger like you’ll find at Electrify America, The 2022 F-150 Lightning can accept 150 kilowatt charging speeds. This is below what the upcoming Silverado EV offers, but it’s still decent. If the charging curve is above average, 150 kW won’t be a problem at all. At a DC fast charger, the extended-range F-150 Lightning is targeted to gain up to 54 miles of range in 10 minutes. In 41 minutes, Ford says it can charge from 15% to 80%.
Charging an electric truck is A LOT more affordable than fueling up at the gas station. Fuel savings just might justify the time it takes to charge. At Electrify America, a typical charge from 5% to 90% (adding 255 miles of range) will only cost about $35. The real savings are in your garage. At home, where most charging is done, the same charge to 90% would only cost $15 at average residential electric rates. Learn more about how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle here.
Towing, Payload and Storage
On the surface, the bed of the F-150 Lightning is pretty standard. It’s the usual 5’5” bed with a power tailgate. Sadly, it lacks the magical pass-through feature of the upcoming 2023 Chevrolet Silverado EV. Upon closer inspection, there are some very useful gadgets. The side of the bed includes several household 120-volt outlets and a more powerful 240-volt outlet. Ford says the Lightning can power worksite tools for days without having a big impact on the state of charge. This really highlights the immense energy capacity of the 98 to 131 kWh battery, and how comparatively little energy small appliances and tools consume.
How does towing or hauling around a bed full of materials impact range? Just like with any gas or diesel-powered truck, fuel efficiency decreases with towing and higher payloads. Ford’s engineers thought of this, and they’ve used the Lightning’s electrical infrastructure to offer an impressive remedy. Using the scales built into the truck and a fancy computer, real-time range estimates are constantly calculated based on payload and towing demands. The gauge cluster displays an accurate estimate of how much range you have in any given scenario. No need to do calculations in your head.
With the 230-mile standard battery, payload capacity is 2,000, and towing is up to 7,700 pounds. The extended range battery opens up towing to 10,000 pounds, but the added weight of the battery lowers payload to 1,800 pounds. The Lightning weighs about 1,000 pounds more than regular F-150s.
The F-150 Lightning has a massive 14 cubic-foot front trunk. Finally, a truck with a trunk! There are four power outlets providing 2.4 kW of power and two USB ports, all within the front trunk. The floor has a drain too. You can even charge tools in the front trunk while driving the vehicle.
Power Your Tools, Appliances or Entire Home With the Lightning
Pro Power Onboard is Ford’s vehicle-to-load system that produces . Power reserve functions allow the driver to automatically cut off power supply once the battery state of charge drops to a predetermined level.
An even bigger deal is Ford Intelligent Backup Power. With the proper setup and accessories, the F-150 Lightning automatically kicks in to power your house when the power goes out. Once power is restored, the truck automatically reverts to charging its battery. Ford says that based on 30kWh of electricity usage in the average American home, F-150 Lightning with extended-range battery can power an entire home for up to three days, or as long as 10 days with power rationing. THIS could be the feature that wins over the masses.
Wait, that’s not all. Ford has more tricks up its sleeve than a dealership F&I manager:
“In the future, Ford will introduce Ford Intelligent Power, which can use the truck to power homes during high-cost, peak-energy hours while taking advantage of low-cost overnight rates to charge the vehicle in time for your morning drive. This can help save money on electricity that powers your vehicle and home while also taking pressure off the grid in peak usage times.”
You heard here first, folks. You’ll soon have the ability to buy a truck that can lower your entire utility bill. Considering that this feature alone would save a ton on monthly bills, charging the F-150 Lightning will basically pay for itself! That could be HUGE savings for those accustomed to paying $60-$80 for every tank of gas.
Tech In the F-150 Lightning
The Lightning can learn all about your hauling habits. The truck recognizes which trailer you’re hauling, combines that with info from the onboard scale, and provides immediate updates to driving range and power.
The F-150 Lightning has games! Tesla popularized in-cabin gaming, and now Ford has seen the appeal of a lighthearted, fun-yet-functional vehicle experience. Automakers are all about ‘experience’ these days.
The gauge cluster is conveniently located within the line of sight for the driver. It displays useful information about real-time battery conditions, motor performance and power distribution. In the Lightning, everything is customizable.
Does Ford want to spy on you? probably not. However, two driver-facing cameras are built into the dash. These are actually safety monitors for Blue Cruise, Ford’s advanced driver assistance technology. Blue Cruise enables hands-free driving on divided highways, as long as your eyes are on the road. This is wading into level 2 autonomy, but Ford has more ambitious driver assistance plans in the works.
There’s also a 360-degree camera for parking assistance. Exterior zone lighting lets you illuminate precisely what you need to see in the dark.
F-150 Lightning Pricing and Trim Options
The work and fleet-oriented Pro edition starts at $39,974. The Pro includes bare-bones manual vinyl seats and no frills. Most consumers will start their shopping at the $52,974 XLT trim. This is where most of the desired features and comforts enter the scene. A step up will land you at the $67,474 Lariat. Both the XLT and Lariat come with the 230-mile standard range battery unless you opt for the extended range battery. On top of the spec sheet is the Platinum. For $90,874, you can get an extended range battery, 22-inch bright machined aluminum grille, the larger (15.5-inch) touchscreen, upgraded sound, and both heated and ventilated seats. Check out the major differences below:
Notice that the soon-to-be-popular XLT trim listed at a starting MSRP of $52,974 is actually a $72,474 truck in disguise. If you want to step up from the 230 mile standard range battery to the bigger battery, going for the XLT just doesn’t make sense for most buyers. Ford clearly wants buyers to take the dive for the Lariat or Platinum trims. Kind of sneaky if you ask me.
No Dealer Markups? F-150 Pricing Under the Spotlight
Ford recently sent a memo regarding F-150 Lightning pricing to their dealers, and it was swiftly leaked online. It reveals that the automaker intends to preserve what little is left of positive dealership experiences. The memo cuts right to the chase. “It has come to our attention that a limited number of dealerships are interacting with customers in a manner that is negatively impacting customer satisfaction and damaging to the Ford Motor Company brand and Dealer Body reputation.” Wow, Ford actually wants their customers to have a pleasant dealership experience.
This memo brings up a key concern about F-150 Lightning pricing. Will dealers use unprecedented demand to try and justify outrageous additional dealer markups? Clearly, Ford corporate is intent on getting ahead of the problem before it snowballs out of control and tarnishes the brand for hundreds of thousands of new Ford customers. Find out more about this secret memo and what CarEdge advocates think about it here.
Incentives
Does the Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck qualify for the EV tax credit? Yes! The federal EV tax credit slashes up to $7,500 off of the Ford F-150 Lightning pricing. Lawmakers are considering revisions to the EV tax credit that could possibly add to the discount. Right now, buyers receive the incentive when they file taxes. proposed changes to the law would make the discount effective at the point of sale.
I Want One! Where Can I Buy a Ford F-150 Lightning?
Sadly, there’s no easy answer. If you were among the hundreds of thousands to place a pre-order back in early 2021, you just might receive your F-150 Lightning by the end of 2022. Most current reservation holders will receive theirs in 2023. Ford is doubling down on production capacity due to high demand, so if you get in line soon, maybe you’ll also get your truck before 2024. For the time being, reservations are closed so that existing deposit-holders can place their official orders. Soon, Ford says they will open reservations back up to the masses. Ford currently has about 200,000 reservations in the books. With the doubled production capacity, Ford will be making about 150,000 per year. Do the math, and that means most F-150 Lightning buyers will have to wait until 2024.
If you’re ready to buy an electric truck now, there are only two options with immediate availability. The popular Rivian R1T is an outdoorsy luxury mid-size truck. The R1T starts around $70,000 before incentives. The GMC Hummer EV is crab-walking its way into dealerships, but only at a hefty price tag. For $100,000, the reimagined electric hummer truck can be all yours. The Tesla Cybertruck was just delayed to 2023 at the earliest, so there’s not much to say about that concept for the time being.
Is it worth the wait for the Ford? F-150 Lightning pricing is attractive, and it’s sure to get truck buyers the most value for their money out of the few options we have today. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have a truck that also serves as a generator for backup power? Tesla has been stubbornly against adding vehicle-to-grid functionality to their models, probably because Tesla also sells home battery products.
CarEdge’s Take
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck is the pinnacle of utility. You can power a dozen tools, save hundreds to thousands on fuel, and even power your entire home with this truck. Unfortunately, Ford didn’t anticipate so much love for the Lightning. If this truck was at dealerships today, they’d be flying off the lot. F-150 Lightning pricing is what you’d expect from a truck in today’s market. It’s likely to set buyers back by at least $60,000 with options included. If only there was an electric Ford Maverick for those of us who prefer to spend less.
Do you think the F-150 Lightning will sell to traditional truck buyers? Or will Ford appeal to a different demographic altogether? We’d especially love to hear from you if you’re a reservation holder. The Lightning will have a lot to live up to after the long wait we’re in for.
