Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and don't need oil, gasoline, or diesel to power their engine. Instead, they use lithium-ion battery packs that feed an electric motor which makes them particularly well suited for short trips but may not be ideal for long-distance journeys as the range can become a limiting factor. Nonetheless, EVs come in almost every shape and size from sedans, minivans, and electric SUVs / Crossovers all the way up to electric pickup trucks with major auto manufacturers such as Nissan, Ford, Tesla, and more offering popular models of these eco-friendly cars. You can receive incentives such as federal, state, or local tax rebates when making your purchase. As EVs continue to increase in popularity, we can expect to see many more on our roads.
Best Electric Cars - These are the best electric cars as selected by Autotrader's editors for 2023:
- 2023 BMW i4
- 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
- 2023 Genesis Electrified G80
- 2023 Genesis GV60
- 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 2023 Kia EV6
- 2023 Lucid Air
- 2023 Nissan Ariya
- 2023 Porsche Taycan
- 2023 Rivian R1T
Pros:
- Save money: electricity costs less than gas
- An EV is convenient for short trips
- In some cases, you’ll receive federal, state, or local incentives/tax rebates
- Electric cars don’t produce harmful emissions
- You’ll also save money thanks to the low maintenance of EVs
- Avoid unnecessary traffic with specific EV driving lanes
Cons:
- The batteries of an EV are not eco-friendly
- Limited EV charging infrastructure
- Limited driving range
- Expensive to replace EV battery packs
- You’ll pay more for charging during peak times
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Electric vehicles show tremendous potential for a cleaner, smarter way of driving. However, they do come with distance limitations compared to traditional gas cars. A typical EV’s battery driving range is between 93 - 400 miles before needing recharging and on average they last roughly 100 - 150 miles per charge cycle, more than enough coverage for an everyday commute. Battery and EV technology has improved greatly in just a few years and in turn, so has the typical driving range; the standard benchmark has pushed well past the 100 mile range threshold. Just look at the Kia Soul EV, which saw its mileage range increase from 93 to 243 miles between 2017 to 2020.
There are three types of charging stations and each has a different recharge speed. The types of charging stations are AC Level 1, AC Level 2, and DC Fast Level 3 with the power output supplied increasing with each level. Level 1 and 2 charges are the most common types of chargers installed at residential homes while Level 3 are often found at shopping centers, office buildings, and public parking lots. EV manufacturers agree that a Level 2 charger is the best way to maximize your battery's health in the long run. AC stands for alternating current and DC is short for direct current.
AC Level 1 - Uses a standard 120V outlet found in all homes in the U.S. While you don't have to spend any extra money on a upgraded electric outlet, you'll be charging at the slowest rate of 2-5 miles per hour so expect charging to take upwards of 50-125 hours to reach 250 miles of range. For example, a 2022 Nissan Leaf will take approximately 35 hours to charge up to the 149 mile range using a Level 1 charger.
AC Level 2 - The most popular is an AC Level 2 which is powered via a 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet or what an electric clothes dryer uses. Level 2 chargers are capable of charging at a rate of 10 - 30 miles of range per hour so you should expect charging to take between 8 - 25 hours to reach 250 miles of range. For example, a typical 60-kWh EV car battery that is almost empty should be fully charged in around 10hrs. The estimated cost of a Level 2 charger can range between $300 - $1,000 for the unit and then $500 - $1,500 for the installation by a certified electrician. Installation costs can vary depending on how far the unit is placed in relation to your home's main electrical panel. You may also need to replace your entire electrical panel or add a sub-panel depending on how many breaker positions are taken. Few older homes only support 30 – 60 amp service and if so, upgrading to a 200amp main panel will be required.
DC Fast Level 3 - The fastest type of charger gets its power from a 400 - 1,000V electrical connection. Level 3 chargers are the large units you see at public charging stations and most newer EVs can obtain 80% of their battery capacity within 15 - 60 minutes. Unfortunately, you cannot install a Level 3 DC charger in your home since U.S. homes only support AC power. Plus, a DC charging station costs between $10,000 - $30,000.
Charging cables should be provided to you by the dealer or the previous owner. It’s advised that you don’t charge your EV every night, as most EV batteries work at their optimum between a 20% and 80% charge. In an effort to ensure EV batteries last, car manufacturers need to adhere to federal guidelines which state that they offer a minimum 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. How you drive will have an impact on your EV's mileage. Lastly, just like a gas-powered car, the mileage on a used EV does matter.
Mileage Range of Popular Used EVs:
- 410 - 516 miles: 2023 Lucid Air
- 396 - 415 miles: 2023 Tesla Model S
- 348 - 373 miles: 2020 Tesla Model S
- 311 - 348 miles: 2023 Tesla Model X
- 272 - 358 miles: 2023 Tesla Model 3
- 260 - 301 miles: 2023 BMW i4
- 256 - 303 miles: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 240 - 320 miles: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
- 240 - 361 miles: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
- 232 - 310 miles: 2022 Kia EV6
- 259 miles: 2022 Chevrolet Bolt
- 258 miles: 2021 Hyunda Kona Electric
- 243 miles: 2020 Kia Soul EV
- 239 miles: 2021 Kia Niro EV
- 220 miles: 2023 Subaru Solterra
- 149 - 226 miles: 2020 Nissan Leaf
- 93 miles: 2017 Kia Soul EV
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- Used Electric Car Buying: Is Mileage Important? (2022)
- Buying an Electric Vehicle: 7 Tips for First-Time Buyers (2021)
- Electric Car vs. Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid Car: Which is Best for You? (2021)
- The Electric Vehicles With the Most Range for 2020
- 12 Best Electric Vehicles for 2019
