Electric vehicles, or EVs for short, were the hot car commodity for 2022. Their sales were up nearly 82% from 2021, and EVs now make up 5% of the total market, according to Edmunds data.
But many prospective buyers have questions and reservations about this new technology. With this in mind, here are answers to the top questions that EV shoppers want to know before deciding on a purchase.
How many miles can you drive on a full charge?
Your range will be determined by the EV model, the size of its battery, the ambient temperature, your driving style and your wallet. There's the Mazda MX-30 and its 100-mile range on the low end and the six-figure Lucid Air Grand Touring with up to 516 miles on the other.
A ballpark average for today's EVs would be around 250 miles. Older EVs will have less range, roughly 100 to 200 miles, due to being first-generation technology and battery degradation.
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Your driving habits will greatly affect how far you can go, just as they would on a gas-powered vehicle. Accelerate slowly and smoothly, and you'll go farther. Driving aggressively and maintaining high speeds will eat into your range.
How many years will the battery last?
Battery life is determined by how often the battery was exposed to extreme temperatures, how often it operated at high and low states of charge, how many charge cycles it received and how many times it visited a DC fast charger.
Like your smartphone's battery, an EV battery's performance will degrade over the years, albeit much slower. After 10 years, your EV's battery would have a charge of roughly 77%, according to vehicle data company Geotab.
To alleviate some of this concern, the federal government has mandated that all EV batteries be covered for at least eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. In California and the 14 other states that have adopted its zero-emissions vehicle regulations, the coverage is extended to 10 years.
A woman charges a 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 at a charging station. The time to charge at a station can vary depending on the size of the vehicle's battery and the number of volts the station and the car can handle.
Does it qualify for a tax credit?
Qualifying for an EV tax credit has changed since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed. To qualify for a tax credit, a new EV must be assembled in North America. This part of the equation will net you $3,750Â nonrefundable tax credit on your 2023 return.
There are now price limits on top of the final assembly requirements. Eligible SUVs, vans and pickup trucks will have a price cap of $80,000. Sedans and other vehicles will be capped at $55,000.
Yet another requirement looks at the modified adjusted gross income of the buyer. Finally, there is the EV battery component requirement, which states that 50% of the EV components must be sourced, manufactured or assembled in the U.S. or in any country that it has a free trade agreement with. That percentage will go up in subsequent years.
How long does it take to charge?
The time it takes to charge an EV depends on its battery size, the speed of its onboard charger (usually rated in kilowatts) and the voltage of where you plug it in. For daily driving and commuting, most people will be able to charge overnight at a 240-volt socket, also called Level 2 charging. It would take significantly longer to charge an EV on a standard 110-volt wall socket. A Level 3 or DC fast charger would be needed for road trips. These high-power stations significantly reduce charging time, and in general, a vehicle can go from a 10% to 80% charge in about 30 minutes.
Where and when are they available?
Many EVs are available at your local dealership. However, there's been a shortage of new cars in recent years, and EVs have been hit the hardest due to their complexity. You might need to get on a waiting list or be prepared to pay a premium, as some zealous dealerships have saddled them with accessories or a flat markup.
Startup brands such as Tesla, Lucid and Rivian exist outside the dealer system and sell directly to consumers on their websites. They rarely carry inventory, and cars are often built after an order is placed. Depending on the vehicle model and configuration, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year.
Edmunds says
Electric vehicles do have a learning curve and require a bit more forethought about your destinations, but that shouldn't put you off purchasing one. The more you research and learn, the less intimidating an EV will be.
Rust in peace: Vehicles that are dying in 2023
Acura ILX
Never like the Acura Integra that it replaced, the ILX always seemed like a pretender to the throne. A half-hearted effort on Acura's part dating to 2013, the Acura Integra thankfully takes its slot for 2023.
Acura NSX
The second-generation NSX proved that hybrids didn't have to be boring. Yet as the world's exotic carmakers are planning to release hybrids, Acura is killing theirs despite the contemporary demeanor of the NSX.
Buick Encore
Seemingly, there will be no encore for the Encore, a diminutive subcompact SUV that once accounted for half of Buick's U.S. sales. Now it's outsold nearly 3-to-1 by the larger, cheaper Encore GX.
Chevrolet Spark
Diminutive in both size and price, this was the cheapest car in America. No, it wasn't speedy or sizable, but it was thrifty. A decent small car in a nation in love with large ones.
Chevrolet Trax
Tall and narrow, a new Chevrolet Trax is reportedly arriving for 2024. So maybe it's not dying so much as taking a very long nap.
Ford GT
This $500,000 Ford was an homage to its Le Mans-winning race cars of the 1960s. But as Ford shifts to an electrified lineup, an electric GT could always be a possibility. A gas-powered one? Evidently not.
Honda Insight
With the launch of a new Civic Hybrid, the need for a separate but same-size hybrid seems as if it came from the Department of Redundancy Department. But its visual eloquence will be missed.
Hyundai Accent
Still popular, this handsome little sedan is being replaced by the Venue SUV as Hyundai's cheapest model, although the Venue starts more than $2,300 higher.
Hyundai Ioniq
These Hyundai hybrids are being shown the door as Hyundai offers a number of hybrids across its lineup. But its name is being repurposed for an all-electric sub-brand, starting with the Ioniq 5.
Hyundai Veloster
With more versatile vehicles like the Elantra N and Kona N introduced into the Hyundai lineup, this unique model has seen its popularity plummet in the past two years. Arrivederci.
Infiniti Q60
The Q60 coupe receives the coup de grâce this year as Infiniti continues to suffer from a lack of a clear identity. This is the most fun of all its vehicles to drive, so its loss doesn't help Infiniti's image.
Lamborghini Aventador
Still sexy despite its age, this is the last year for this 12-cylinder supercar, which will replaced by an electrified model within a couple years. While it will be good, it won't be the same.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
This was Mercedes-Benz's least expensive model in 2022, starting at less than $34,000. That honor now falls to the GLA crossover, at less than $37,000.
Nissan Rogue Sport
Filling the spot between the Rogue and the Kicks, the Rogue Sport appears absent from Nissan's 2023 lineup. The question is: Will anyone miss it?
Toyota Avalon
The car that wears the name of the island where King Arthur's body was taken upon his death is now joining the legendary king in eternity.
Volkswagen Passat
This American-built Passat bore little resemblance to its European counterpart, with little character or superb handling. Unsullied and faultlessly ordinary, it never captured the imagination.
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK
The old version of the Grand Cherokee stuck around as a lower cost alternative to its newer sibling. But the new one is so good, who wants the old one?
Ram ProMaster City
This one always looked kind of odd for a Ram, and that's because it's really Fiat Doblo cargo van. Yet its sales seemed solid, so its demise may mean something better is about to arrive.
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