How to choose your first electric car – 4 factors to consider
The time has come. You’ve decided to make the switch and join the zero emissions club. Buying your first electric car brings a whole new experience. Once you feel the instant torque, improved technology and smoother drive, you’ll never go back. Now the question arises, how do you decide on an electric car. Here are some factors to consider.
How to choose your first electric car
As with any major purchase, it’s good to know your options and what to look for. You wouldn’t blindly buy a home without knowing what it looks like or feels like on the inside. The same applies when buying an electric car.
Americans are buying electric vehicles (EVs) at a record pace as new electric models hit showrooms. According to Cox Automotive, electric cars accounted for 5.6% of the total auto market last quarter, more than doubling from 2.7% in 2021.
Tesla remains the dominant brand, but most major automakers have launched their own electric models by this point and are beginning to scale production.
With more options than ever before, where do you start? It’s not as complicated as it might seem to first-time buyers. However, there are a few things to consider before choosing the right EV for you. Here are a few tips and considerations when choosing your first electric car.
price and incentives
Yes, there are incentives to buy electric cars. The Inflation Mitigation Act, passed in August, extends the tax credit of up to $7,500 for new electric vehicle purchases and a $4,000 credit for used ones.
However, for an electric vehicle to be considered, it must meet strict requirements for battery procurement and assembly. A list of discountable electric cars can be found here.
Several popular EV models make the list, including:
- Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV
- Ford F-150 Lightning
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Nissan Leaf
- Tesla model 3
- Tesla Model Y
The median price for an EV in September 2022 is just over $65,000. However, that doesn’t mean that all electric vehicles cost that much. For example, here are some of the cheapest electric cars on the market and their starting prices:
| starting price | |
| 2023 Chevy Bolt EV | $25,600 |
| 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV | $27,200 |
| 2023 Nissan Leaf | $28,040 |
| 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric | $33,550 |
| 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 | $37,495 |
driving range
Another important consideration when buying your first electric car is how far it will go on a full charge. Range is one of the most critical factors for drivers. Do you mainly commute to work? How often do you travel long distances? Do you live in a house or an apartment?
These are some questions you might want to ask yourself before deciding which electric vehicle is right for you. Here are the longest range electric cars and their starting prices to make it easy for you.
| area (European summer time.) | starting price | |
| Lucid Air Dream Edition | 520 | $169,000 |
| Tesla Model S | 375 | $109,490 |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | 358 | $62,990 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS | 350 | $102,310 |
| Tesla Model X | 333 | $120,990 |
| Tesla Model Y | 330 | $67,990 |
vehicle type
Why not choose a car that you enjoy driving? Electric cars offer a driving experience superior to their gas-powered counterparts. With instant torque, you can feel the power behind the wheel. Also, because they don’t have an internal combustion engine and fewer moving parts, electric vehicles are quieter and offer a smoother ride.
At the same time, you do not have to give up your preferred vehicle type by switching to electric cars. Automakers have introduced an EV in each category to suit all driving styles. Below are a few examples in each category.
| electric car model | |
| limousine | Tesla model 3 |
| crossover/ compact |
Kia EV6 Tesla Model Y Hyundai Kona EV Chevy Bolt EV Chevy Bolt EUV Ford Mustang Mach-E North Star 2 Volvo C40 |
| SUV | Hyundai IONIQ5 Volkswagen ID.4 Rivian R1S Jaguar I Pace Chevrolet Blazer EV Audi etron Kia Niro EV Mercedes EQS |
| truck | Ford F-150 Lightning GMC HummerEV Rivian R1T |
| luxury | Tesla Model X Clear air |
Charging Considerations
Last and not least is charging availability. If you own a home, having a charging facility at home is ideal. That way, every morning when you wake up you have a fully charged electric car ready for the day. It is common for around 80% of charging to occur at home.
To state the obvious, it’s best to place the charger where you normally park. However, not all EV models have the charging station in the same place (some are near the rear, while others may be in the grille).
The next thing to consider is the loading speed. Most new electric vehicles come with a Level 1 charger, the slowest device that uses the standard 120 volt connection. At level 1, it can take ten hours or more for your electric vehicle to charge.
You can upgrade to a Level 2 charger but you will need a 240 volt power source. Level 2 chargers can now fully charge an electric car in around 3 to 8 hours.
It’s fine for those who don’t own a home. There are charging options for you too. You can always speak to your housing manager to see if installing EV charging stations is a viable option (it’s a good investment).
If that’s not an option, there are many public options available. Automakers like Tesla are building their own supercharging network, giving drivers the freedom to go anywhere. Meanwhile, federal funds are helping to set up a national charging network for electric vehicles.
Other companies such as ChargePoint and EVgo are providing chargers for private business and public use, and continue to expand access.
Most electric vehicles use the latest connected technology and tell you when and where to charge so you know exactly how far you can go.
Which electric car will you choose first?
Your ideal first electric car depends on several factors, including your budget, travel habits and lifestyle. To get you started, here are some of my top electric vehicle choices for first-time buyers:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.