What factors should I consider when choosing an EV?

Range

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an EV is the vehicle's range, or how far it can travel on a single charge. Where you live (city, suburb or rural area) or if you plan on using your EV for long trips will determine if you need a higher range or lower range. For example, if you live in a suburb and on average take a few long road trips a year, a model with a higher range could be more useful. On the other hand, if you mostly use your EV for short trips around town, a model with a lower range may be sufficient.

Price

When choosing an electric vehicle, price is obviously an important factor: upfront costs, savings on fuel and maintenance, future resale value, as well as any available tax incentives for which you qualify all impact the total lifetime investment in an EV:

• Upfront cost: The cost of an electric car may be higher than that of a traditional gas-powered vehicle, but all manufacturers, such as General Motors, are working hard to ensure Americans can transition to electric vehicles in an affordable way and are coming out with more and more affordable EV models.
• Fuel & maintenance: Long-term savings on fuel and maintenance costs for an EV can more than make up for the higher upfront cost. Curious to understand how much you could save in fuel costs by driving electric? Calculate your fuel savings with our EV savings calculator.
• Resale value: all vehicles depreciate the moment they are driven off the lot, this is common knowledge. However, with the shift to EVs, there is a new dynamic unfolding between ICE vs EVs. Imagine 7 years from now, when you may trade-in your vehicle. EVs will be vastly more popular, and based on the strength of government mandates, the population will likely value a used EV significantly higher than a similar ICE vehicle
• Tax incentives: Be sure to factor in any available federal and state incentives when comparing gas-powered vs electric car prices. The new Inflation Reduction Act states that for new electric vehicles, consumers will be eligible to receive up to $7,500 in credit. For used electric vehicles, consumers will be eligible for up to $4,000 in credit or 30% of the vehicle cost. However, there are some criteria that need to be met in order to qualify. Learn more in our blogpost.

Size

Electric vehicles come in different sizes, from compact to SUV, it is important to consider the size of the vehicle and how it will fit your lifestyle. A compact EV may be perfect for city driving, while a larger SUV may be better suited for families or for those who frequently drive on highways. Check out our electric vehicles platform and filter by your preferred car size and number of seats to see which models are most suitable for you.

Features

With the advancement of technology, many EV models now come with a variety of safety features such as automatic braking, lane departure warning, and even self-driving capabilities. Discover a whole new set of interior technology and entertainment features in the latest EV models, such as front trunks, extended glass roofs, luxury seating with spacious legroom and massaging capabilities, and of course massive entertainment and display screens and pilot panels. Whichever features you are considering or find important to your lifestyle, you’re sure to find it in one of the current EV models.

Charging

Charging is hands down one of the most important factors to consider when thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle. While finding ways to charge your car versus visiting a gas station might sound intimidating at first, it is simpler than it seems. And the good news is that no matter which electric car you decide to go with, the ways of charging your vehicle remind the same. To learn more about the different EV charging types, and the best way to car your car from home read our blogpost.

Now that you know the most important factors to consider, let’s find the right car for you. Take our EV guide and find the perfect vehicle that fits your needs in just a few clicks. You can also learn about and browse over 100 EV models available in the U.S. today in our EV car pages.