Find Out Which Electric Car Is The Best For Your Budget And Needs!

If you’re thinking about buying an electric car, you may have some questions. Which electric car will be the best vehicle for your budget and needs? 

How do you compare different models? What are all the different features and accessories available in electric vehicles? 

These are all good questions and we’re here to help with this guide on how to choose an electric car!

Top 10 Electric Vehicles for ANY Budget
Takeaways
Electric cars are the future of transportation.
Driving an electric car is good for the environment and can save you money in the long run.
Electric cars are revolutionizing the auto industry with advanced technology.
Switching to an electric car can help save the planet and improve your health.
It’s important to get ready for the electric car revolution and stay updated on the latest models.

Battery Range

When you’re looking for an electric car, your first question is likely to be about the battery range. The range of an electric vehicle (EV) is the distance it can travel before needing to recharge its battery. 

For example, a Tesla Model 3 with a 215-mile range can go up to 215 miles on one charge but if you drive faster than 65 miles per hour and leave the A/C on while running through heavy traffic, that number could drop significantly.

Some EVs will have better range than others it depends on how big the batteries are that power those vehicles’ engines. 

However, driving habits also play into it: some people take short trips with their EVs, whereas others might spend most of their time driving long distances in their cars every day. Your daily commute and where you need your EV to take you will affect how far it’ll go between charges!

If your primary concern is having enough juice in your ride’s tank so that you don’t run out before reaching home or work again–or even if all else fails–then look into getting access points wherever possible so as not use up too much juice while charging at one place over another (like at work vs home).

Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and with so many benefits, there’s no reason to resist the shift. To learn more about why electric cars are the way of the future and how you can get in on the action, read our guide on why electric cars are the way of the future

Maintenance Costs

Electric cars have fewer moving parts than internal combustion vehicles. This means that there are fewer things that can break down or need maintenance, which saves you money.

While there are still some maintenance costs associated with electric cars (e.g., tires and brake fluid), they will be cheaper in the long run since you won’t need to replace many parts like spark plugs and filters as frequently as those in an ICV.

Electric Cars Maintenance Costs Comparison

BrandModelMaintenance Cost (Year 1)
TeslaModel S$1,400
ChevroletBolt EV$755
NissanLeaf$848
Audie-tron$1,190
BMWi3$1,226

This table compares the annual maintenance costs of five popular electric car models. As the data reveals, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has the lowest annual maintenance cost in the first year of ownership, at just $755.

The Tesla Model S has the highest annual maintenance cost, at $1,400. While electric cars tend to have lower maintenance costs overall compared to gas-powered cars, it’s still important to consider any potential costs when making the switch to an electric car.

Upfront costs / financing

The first expense is the cost of the car itself. This can vary dramatically depending on what kind of electric car you’re buying, as well as its size and extras.

For example, if you purchase a Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD with all-wheel drive (as we did), it will cost $52,400 after tax credits but before any additional fees or upgrades. 

If we wanted to add Autopilot capabilities or heated seats which are both available the price would go up by several thousand dollars more.

Of course, there are other options that may be cheaper than our hypothetical Tesla model like the Chevy Bolt EV ($37k after federal tax credit) or Nissan Leaf ($29k). 

Even though these vehicles are less expensive upfront than a Tesla Model S or X, they still come with hefty monthly payments thanks to their high lease rates and lengthy contracts (see below). 

But with financing options ranging from 0% interest rate leases to low APR loans available through banks like Ally Bank and Toyota Financial Services , even those who can only afford modest payments will still be able to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle without putting themselves at risk financially speaking!

Driving an electric car is good for the environment, and also for your wallet in the long run. To discover the amazing environmental benefits of electric cars and how they can save you money, take a look at our guide on the environmental benefits of driving an electric car.

Incentives and Rebates

Incentives and rebates are available in certain states for different models of electric cars. For example, California offers a $2,500 rebate for the purchase or lease of an electric car with a battery capacity greater than 16 kWh. 

However, most states offer only limited incentives  if any for purchasing or leasing electric vehicles (EVs).

State-sponsored programs may also be available to help you offset the cost of installing home charging stations or investing in solar panels that will power them. 

If you’re interested in taking advantage of these programs and others like them, reach out to your local utility company and ask what they offer!

Warranty

Warranty: The battery is an expensive part of an electric car. It’s important to make sure you have a warranty that covers the battery if you need it.

Most manufacturers offer a five-year/60,000 mile basic warranty on their cars with some additional coverage on the battery itself. Some manufacturers also offer extended warranties that can be purchased separately and range from three years/36,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles.

A few things to note about these warranties: First, they aren’t always transferable to new owners (so if your sister wants to buy your car when she gets her license, she might not get the same protections). 

Secondly, many states require all auto dealerships selling new cars in their state to provide buyers with a copy of any manufacturer’s extended warranty before they can finalize their purchase—so it makes sense for you or your insurance company to ask for one now rather than later!

Electric cars are revolutionizing the auto industry with their advanced technology and innovative features. To stay updated on the latest electric car models and how they’re changing the game, check out our guide on electric cars that are changing the game

Availability of public charging stations

If you’re the type who likes to take road trips, or just driving around in general, it’s important to know where your next charge will come from. 

The availability of public charging stations can vary greatly depending on where you live, so it’s best to do a bit of research ahead of time.

  • How many public charging stations are there?
  • Where are these public stations located?
  • How much does it cost per hour to charge at a public station?
  • How long does it typically take for an electric car battery to charge at a public station?

Availability of Public Charging Stations Comparison

BrandModelNumber of Public Charging Stations
TeslaModel S2,468
ChevroletBolt EV1,547
NissanLeaf2,066
Audie-tron1,051
BMWi31,195

This table compares the number of public charging stations available for five popular electric car models. As the data reveals, the Tesla Model S has the most public charging stations available, with 2,468 charging stations across the country.

The Audi e-tron has the least amount of public charging stations available, at just 1,051. Access to public charging stations is an important factor to consider when planning long road trips or using an electric car as your primary vehicle.

Cargo Space

The first thing to consider is how much cargo space you need. If you’re a single person or a couple without a whole lot of stuff, then the smaller size electric vehicles are probably fine for you. 

If, on the other hand, your household has lots of stuff and/or needs to haul around things like bicycles or surfboards on occasion, then it may be worth looking into larger cars with more room for cargo.

How much cargo space do I need? This can be tricky because most automakers don’t provide exact dimensions for their vehicles’ cargo areas in literature or online. So what do they provide? Well, they usually publish an approximate dimension like “10 cubic feet of storage.” 

But that number doesn’t tell us anything about how big those cubic feet actually are! We need actual dimensions length x width x height to figure out how much storage space we have at our disposal before we start shopping around for cars based on that information alone.

After determining approximately how much room there’ll be for storing your belongings inside the vehicle itself (which is only one part of what makes up total available storage), next step will be considering external factors such as weight capacity (how heavy can each individual item be?), size restrictions (what types materials allowed), etc.

Switching to an electric car is one of the best things you can do for the environment and for your own health. To learn more about how electric cars can help you save the planet and how you can get ready to make the switch, read our guide on ditching your gas guzzler for an electric car.

Performance

Performance is a factor that car buyers often overlook, but it’s important to think about how your vehicle will perform in different situations. Performance includes:

  • How the car handles (acceleration, braking, handling)
  • Steering feel (how easy or difficult it is to steer)

With these two categories in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best electric cars on the market today.

Resale Value

When it comes to resale value, there are a number of factors that can affect how much an electric car will be worth once you sell it. While the age and condition of a used electric car may not be that important for some potential buyers, it’s still important to keep in mind.

The demand for a certain model and year can also have a big impact on whether or not your car will sell quickly and for what price. 

For example, Tesla vehicles sell very quickly because they’re so popular among wealthy buyers who want high-quality luxury cars with all the latest features available on the market today (like self-driving capabilities). 

So if you own one of these models but don’t want to keep driving it forever—or at least until 2020 when their warranty expires then you might want

Electric Cars Resale Value Comparison

BrandModelResale Value (After 3 Years)
TeslaModel S54.9%
ChevroletBolt EV47.7%
NissanLeaf36.3%
Audie-tron47.4%
BMWi332.7%

This table compares the resale values of five popular electric car models after three years of ownership. As the data reveals, the Tesla Model S retains the highest resale value among the models analyzed, with a 54.9% value retention.

The BMW i3, on the other hand, has a significantly lower resale value at just 32.7% after three years. It’s important to keep resale value in mind when considering the long-term cost benefits of an electric car.

Electric Car Models Offered By Manufacturers

The following list of electric cars may help you find the right model for your needs. This list is not comprehensive and manufacturers are constantly expanding their offerings.

If you have a large family or need to carry a lot of cargo, consider the Tesla Model X. The Model X seats up to seven people and offers seating for five adults in its second row. It has an impressive range of 295 miles on a single charge, which means it’s possible to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco one-way without stopping to recharge.

The Nissan LEAF is another good choice if you need more space than most other electric vehicles offer. 

It has room for five passengers plus cargo space behind the rear seat that can hold two golf bags or two medium-sized duffel bags at once (and this does not include any additional storage space under cargo floor). 

That said, it only gets 106 miles per charge but that’s enough for many trips around town!

The electric car revolution is here, and it’s time to get ready for the inevitable shift toward electric vehicles. To make sure you’re prepared for the changing auto industry and to learn what you need to know before making the big switch, take a look at our guide on the electric car revolution

Conclusion

There are so many different electric car models available from manufacturers around the world! We hope this article has helped you better understand what features matter most to you and your budget, so that you’ll be able to make an informed decision in choosing which model is right for your needs. 

If not, we recommend doing some research on your own before making a purchase. In any case, we wish you all the best on your journey towards becoming an eco-conscious driver!

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about electric cars:

Sierra Club’s Guide to Picking a Plug-In Electric Vehicle: A comprehensive guide on how to choose the best electric car for your lifestyle and needs.

Which Electric Car is Best for the Environment and Your Budget?: An informative article that analyzes different electric car models and their environmental and financial benefits.

Best Electric Cars in 2021: Tesla, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, and More: A roundup of the best electric cars available on the market in 2021.

FAQs

What are the main benefits of driving an electric car?

Electric cars offer a range of benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, and a quieter, smoother ride.

How far can electric cars typically travel on a single charge?

The range of electric cars varies depending on the make and model, but most modern electric cars can travel anywhere from 100-300 miles on a single charge.

What incentives are available for purchasing an electric car?

There are many incentives available for purchasing an electric car, including tax credits, rebates, and access to carpool/HOV lanes.

How long does it take to charge an electric car battery?

Charging times vary depending on the make and model of the electric car, as well as the type of charging station used. Generally, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to fully charge an electric car battery.

Are electric cars more expensive than gas-powered cars?

Electric cars tend to be more expensive upfront than gas-powered cars, but they offer significant savings in the long run due to their lower operating costs and lower maintenance needs.