There are more electric cars for sale in 2019 then ever before. And the sales of electric cars are growing rapidly. The data is in and the market and the media have spoken, electric cars are no longer oddities, they’re mainstream and they’re popular. Although buying an electric car is very similar to purchasing a traditional gas-powered vehicle, the ownership experience isn’t exactly the same. Electric vehicles behave and drive differently than gas-powered cars and there are many things new electric car buyer should know before spending money on one. Here we’ll help by answering these questions:
What electric cars for sale are there in the US?
This year more auto companies are offering electric vehicles than they ever have before. The list includes Volkswagen, Nissan, Audi, Kia, Hyundai, and of course, Tesla. And they’re not just for the wealthy. Electric models and their advanced technology were once only available to the rich and famous, but now there are many more affordable models out there, which have also expanded the appeal of battery-powered models. Here’s an alphabetical list of some of our favorite electric cars and their base prices that you can buy right now.
What electric SUVs are for sale in the US?
Battery-powered SUVs are even hotter in the market than electric cars. Interest is high and sales are booming. Many automakers, including Kia, Hyundai, and Tesla now offer electric SUVs. And like conventional gas-powered SUVs, they’re offered in a wide variety of sizes and price points. Here’s an alphabetical list of some of our favorite all-electric SUVs and their base prices.
Where are electric cars sold?
When it comes to the purchase process, finding electric cars for sale is essentially the same as buying a new car that runs on gasoline. They’re both sold at the same dealerships and sit in the same showrooms. You can walk into your local BMW, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, or Nissan dealer and drive home in your new electric car today. Of course, you should always take a test drive first and you should always ask these questions before buying an EV. To save some time you can also search for new electric cars for sale online, just as you would for other new cars and SUVs. And there will usually be photos and video of the car so you can inspect it inside and out. Every dealer lists its inventory on its website, but you can also shop on third party sites like AutoGravity for the best deals, which is sure to save you some money. Despite the growing popularity of electric cars some major auto brands still don’t offer pure EVs. Toyota and Lexus, for instance, sell many hybrid models but don’t offer a plug in full electric. Some other brands like Ford, Volvo, and Mitsubishi offer a plug-in hybrid, but not a full electric. We expect this to change in the near future as the clean economy grows and more people get comfortable with the technology of battery power.
How many electric cars are for sale in 2019?
Electric cars are gaining popularity so quickly you’d think there would be 100 models to choose from. The real number, however, is far less. This year there are 19 full-electric, battery-powered cars and SUVs for sale in the United States. Here’s a complete list of the available models in alphabetical order. We’ve also included their base prices and their estimated standard driving range on a full charge of battery power.
- 2019 Audi e-Tron ($74,800, 204 miles)
- 2019 BMW i3 ($44,450, 126 miles)
- 2019 Chevy Bolt ($36,620, 238 miles)
- 2019 Fiat 500e ($33,210, 84 mpg)
- 2019 Honda Clarity (Lease only $199 a month, 89 miles)
- 2019 Hyundai Ioniq ($30,315, 124 miles)
- 2019 Hyundai Kona EV ($36,950, 258 miles)
- 2019 Jaguar I-Pace ($69,500, 234 miles)
- 2019 Kia Niro EV ($38,500, 123 miles)
- 2019 Kia Soul EV ($33,950, 111 miles)
- 2019 Nissan Leaf ($29,990, 151 miles)
- 2019 Smart EQ fortwo ($23,900, 57 miles)
- 2019 Tesla Model 3 ($35,000, 220 miles)
- 2019 Tesla Model S ($76,000, 237 miles)
- 2019 Tesla Model X ($82,000, 237 miles)
- 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf ($31,895, 125 miles)
Buyers should know that some models, including the Tesla Model 3 and the Nissan Leaf, are offered in low range and more expensive higher range versions. And there are more EVs to hit the market next year, both cars and SUVs. This list includes the 2020 Mercedes EQC, 2020 Porsche Taycan, 2020 Aston Martin Rapide-E, and the 2020 Volvo Polestar 2, which will be built in China. Can I lease an electric car? Yes, most electric cars can be bought or leased, including Teslas, but there are a few models out there that are still lease only. This short list of vehicles includes the Honda Clarity Electric. It’s also important to know that some electric models aren’t offered in all 50 states. The new 2019 Hyundai Kona EV, for instance, is only sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. But Hyundai is promising to expand sales across the country in the near future.
Why do electric cars generally cost more than gas-powered cars?
Generally the price of electric cars is higher than an equivalent or similar gas-powered model. This is simply due to the cost of the new technology over the older technology of the internal combustion engine, and much of the price is tied to the size of the car’s battery pack. Usually, the larger a vehicle’s battery pack, the more energy and range it offers, and the more expensive it is. But there are exceptions. Often the cars size dictates the size of its battery pack. A very small car, like the Smart fortwo, for instance doesn’t have any room for additional batteries. Therefore its battery pack is small and its range and power are limited. Buyers should also realize that all EVs qualify for a Federal Tax Credit of $3750. And there’s an additional incentive in nine states including California, Pennsylvania and New York. These state incentives vary between $1,750 and $5,000. The price of an electric vehicle drops dramatically after the buyer collects these tax credits.
What is range and why should I worry about it?
Range is simply how far an electric car can be driven on a full battery charge before it needs to be recharged. This number is always in miles and it varies from car to car. Like the car’s price, its range is dictated by the size of its battery pack. However, it’s also affected by the efficiency of its drivetrain, aerodynamics and the driving habits of its owner. EVs usually have a maximum driving range between 110 and 320 miles depending on the model, however, driving aggressively, with a heavy foot on the throttle, will decrease your range by using the battery’s energy charge more quickly. Most gas-powered cars can drive between 300 and 500 miles on full tank. Range is important in an EV because they take hours to charge. When their batteries are depleted of energy you can’t just stop at the corner gas station and fill up in a few minutes like you can in a conventional car. Run out of battery charge out on the road and you’re basically stranded.
Where can I charge my electric car?
There are two ways to charge any electric car; you can charge it at home or at a public charging station. Some public charging stations allow you to plug in for free, but most do not. Every electric car charges more quickly when plugged into a 220V outlet, which can be installed in your home garage. Charging times increase a lot when you’re using a conventional 120V household outlet, which only provides about 3-5 miles of range per hour of charging. Charging a completely depleted battery pack usually takes between 4 hours and 35 hours depending on the size of the vehicle’s battery pack and the type of outlet used. Then there are 440V fast chargers like Teslas network of superchargers, which are located all over the country. They can provide 80 percent of charge as quickly as 30 minutes, but unfortunately they’re not compatible with all EVs.
Where would I get my electric car serviced?
Much like buying an electric car, the process of getting it serviced is about the same as any other car. Electric cars come with comprehensive warranties and are serviced by the same network of dealers that have electric cars for sale. In other words, any BMW dealer in the country can service your BMW i3, just as any Hyundai dealer could fix a problem on you Ioniq EV. But one of the advantages of electric cars is that they need less service than a gas powered car. No more oil and filter changes, which is also better for the environment. Last year, more Americans bought more electric cars than ever before. The growing variety of new models has become a big part of their popularity, as well as the introduction of more affordable models with increased range. From sedans, to hatchback and SUVs, there’s now a choice of electric cars for sale out there for almost everyone.