Curious about EVs? A Quick Guide to Today's Electric Vehicles

Why do people want to drive electric vehicles? Some desire electric vehicles to reduce their dependence on petroleum and reduce fuel costs. Others feel that driving electric cars would benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Others want them because they have the latest and greatest in cutting-edge technologies.

A Consumer Reports survey published last year revealed that 7 out of 10 adults with a valid driver’s license in the U.S. were interested in driving an EV. And yet, electric vehicle sales still only account for about 2% of all vehicles sold. So, what’s holding car shoppers back from getting into electric vehicles?

Even though electric vehicle sales are booming in the U.S., with purchases nearly doubling from a year ago, electric vehicle shoppers are still flummoxed by several consideration points, including range anxiety and availability of charging, suspicion of new technology, and uncertainty about vehicle types and prices.

Range Anxiety and Charging

Gone are the days of worrying about running out of charge. Most electric vehicles on the market now offer ranges that far exceed the average driver's daily commute. According to 2019 Federal Highway Administration data, motorists in the U.S. drive an average of 39 miles per day, so even the 150-mile range of an entry-level Nissan Leaf S provides ample range for most commuters. Those who step up to a Tesla Model 3 could drive more than a week on its 270-mile charge, or at least several days if they have longer commutes.

Drivers accustomed to finding a gas station on practically any corner can have similar convenience by installing chargers in their garage or driveway. Other commuters may plug-in electric chargers at their workplace.

Even apartment dwellers who may not be able to install home chargers can still find charging stations in a variety of locations, including grocery stores, movie theatres, and even fast-food restaurants. In January 2022, the U.S. had almost 113,600 charging outlets for plug-in electric vehicles. A considerable number of these chargers are found in California, with nearly 41,300 public and private power outlets, according to Statista .

Many electric vehicles even come with charging packages to mitigate concerns about power. For instance, BMW purchasers receive two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America’s 3,000-plus fast-charging stations nationwide. And while gas prices are continuing to climb, electric vehicles can help commuters say goodbye to the inconvenience of the gas stations and costly gas bills.

New Technology and Maintenance

Drivers love electric vehicles for their instantaneous torque and acceleration off the line. Even compact battery electric vehicles with smaller motors can rival and routinely surpass the acceleration numbers of gasoline-powered cars with large engines.

Most of today's electric vehicles tout the latest in-vehicle technology, with such features as semi-autonomous driving assistance, over-the-air software updates, and a variety of passive and active safety features that can make driving less stressful and tiring.

What they don't have, however, is the abundance of moving parts that require frequent maintenance. For electric vehicles, this means no oil changes and no transmission fluid flushes, among other things. Let's not forget their absence of tailpipe emissions that contribute to cleaner air also eliminate the need for periodic smog tests.

Vehicle Types and Cost

More than 100 pure battery electric vehicle (BEV) model variations are currently on the market in the United States, and that number will continue to increase. Although just a few years ago, the limited EV options were basic-level (and not very popular) compact cars, while today’s menu is a cornucopia of options from small and sporty compacts, spacious and hard-working utility vehicles, to large trucks and luxurious sedans.

You can buy a pure battery-electric car and spend as little as $27,400 for a 2022 Nissan LEAF S or go all-out and spend more than double (or even triple) that for the more luxurious Tesla, Cadillac, Rivian, and Lucid options. However, those prices can be reduced by Federal and Local rebates that may lower their prices by several thousand dollars.

There's a reason why the Tesla Model 3 is so popular: it sits in a sweet spot, offering a comparatively low base price and high range, as the approximately 279 miles available between charges comes close to that of its internal combustion-propelled competitors.

Rest assured, the list of battery electric vehicle choices is long and getting even longer, with many manufacturers targeting electrified lineups within the next decade or even sooner.

Battery electric vehicle models are currently offered across a variety of body styles, starting with mainstream coupes and sedans from companies like Chevrolet, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia, Mazda, and Volkswagen.

Fun runabouts and city cars like the BMW i3, Fiat 500e, Kia Soul, Mini Cooper, and Volkswagen eGolf are perfect for those who want something small. At the same time, luxurious and sporty coupes and sedans are offered by premium manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla, and Volvo.

Small crossover utility vehicles (like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5) and midsize crossovers (like the Toyota bZ4X) are also on the way. And in 2023, Ford plans to offer larger SUVs, such as electric versions of its Explorer and Lincoln Aviator.

There's even a large assortment of rugged SUVs and work trucks in the electric vehicle stable. Ford’s F-150 Lightning pickup truck has accumulated more than 130,000 reservations since its debut last May, and the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Dodge Ram are also offering electric versions, as well. In addition, Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Toyota Tacoma, and Hummer EV will also present rugged electric truck options.

Today’s electric vehicle marketplace now offers such a broad selection that consumers should be able to find a BEV to meet pretty much any need in the near future.

To make electric vehicles even more attractive, most pure EV models also boast some of the highest resale values because of lack of supply and high demand. Compared to traditional internal combustion models, you might even make a profit on reselling your electric vehicle.

Even with all these benefits, some new-car shoppers are still hesitant to commit to an electric vehicle. However, buyers who are still on the fence can give an electric vehicle a try with no long-term commitments through today's new vehicle subscription services like Autonomy , which gives EV curious shoppers an extended test drive to experience these vehicles in their daily lives and see how well they can do it fits their lifestyle.