Tim Levin/Insider
- Testing over a dozen new electric cars has convinced me that I will want one someday.
- They are fast, silent and environmentally friendly.
- But I wouldn’t buy one again. New electric vehicles are too expensive and there are no used ones.
The enthusiasm for electric cars has never been greater. With more models to choose from than ever before, more and more Americans are looking to ditch fossil fuels and buy something like a Tesla instead.
Having driven well over a dozen EVs on the market today, from traditional SUVs to burly pickups and six-figure luxury cars, I’m also a big believer in EVs. But I wouldn’t buy one. At least not yet.
At this point, they’re just too expensive and hard to find. Furthermore, charging stations are not yet widespread or affordable enough.
The technology is amazing
Tim Levin/Insider
I’m pretty sure I’ll have an electric car one day, and luckily not just because the government makes it mandatory. EVs simply have too many advantages over regular cars to ignore.
They are silent and smooth. And in virtually every electric car, from the pedestrian Chevy to the high-performance Porsche, stepping on the accelerator pedal causes instant acceleration. That means EVs add some spice to a dull drive and are great for quick mergers and highway crossings.
Since all the bulky parts of a traditional powertrain are missing, manufacturers can add additional interior space and storage options that were previously not possible. Think things like completely flat floors, front trunks, and Rivian’s Gear Tunnel.
All of these benefits combined with a drive to treat the environment with care mean an electric vehicle is likely in my future.
New electric cars are too expensive
Tim Levin/Insider
From today’s point of view, a new purchase is out of the question for price-conscious shoppers like me.
Ford Mustang Mach-E takes off at around $50,000 and you can’t get a Tesla for under $47,000. Sure, some more affordable models are popping up, like the new $27,000 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. But EVs lean heavily towards the luxury end of the spectrum; the average run on battery sold about $65,000 in November.
And unless you’re content with less than 300 miles of range, be prepared to cough up at least $45,000 (before dealer markups).
There aren’t enough used ones yet
Tim Levin/Insider
People who are unwilling or unable to pay for a new car buy used cars. And I would do it with my $10,000 to $15,000 budget. But the electric car market is so young—and they’re so expensive to start with—that there aren’t many attractive used cars in my budget.
A Find affordable used electric vehicles on Autotrader Lots of vintage Nissan Leafs and limited-edition EVs appear, but their ranges—93 miles, 107 miles, 124 miles—don’t quite suit my driving habits. Longer trips with multiple fuel stops would be more of a hassle than they’re worth.
Today, you can’t find a used EV with more than 250 miles of EPA-rated range for less than $24,000. But that should change as all the new Teslas, Fords, Kias and Hyundais sold in recent years have hit the used market.
Charging is too cumbersome for me
Tim Levin/Insider
An underdeveloped charging infrastructure is often mentioned One of the main reasons why more people are not buying electric cars anymore. And I guess I’m nothing special.
Having a garage or driveway to charge is a game changer for EV ownership. You can plug in, go to sleep and be recharged in the morning. But I live in a condo in New York City and have none of those things. There are a few quick-charge stations, but most of the charging options are relegated to expensive parking lots. My neighborhood has some of the few sidewalk charging stations in town, but they’re usually blocked by gas-powered cars.
Charging out of town, which is where I drive most of the time anyway, isn’t a huge hassle once you get used to it. (And especially if you own a Tesla.) But I had to contend with broken plugs and charging dead zones.
Realistically, I could probably get over the charging inconvenience. But stretching my budget by many thousands of dollars doesn’t exactly inspire me.
I look forward to the day when EVs are cheap enough to make sense for those on a tighter budget and with limited home charging options. Until then I’m looking for a hybrid.
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