About 4 in 10 Americans say they are “very likely” or “more likely” to “seriously” consider buying an electric car or truck the next time they enter the market, including a current survey by Pew Research. With the help of the WFAE climate reporter David Boraks, FAQ City answered some frequently asked questions about electric vehicles, EVs for short

Which car companies offer electric vehicles?

Tesla isn’t the only game in town, although it is still the top-selling brand of electric vehicles in the U.S., accounting for about 80% of all newly registered electric vehicles in 2020.

Most major automakers now have their own electric models, including Hyundai, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Volvo, BMW, and Kia. There are currently around 50 different EV models available for sale in the United States, and the target is 150 by 2025.

The Nissan Leaf has been on the market for 10 years. The Chevy Bolt is the third most popular in the U.S. based on sales so far this year. by car & driver. Ford’s Mustang Mach E won many awards in 2020 and is currently the fourth best-selling electric vehicle in the US. Ford also plans to ship an F-150 electric pickup truck in 2022.

New electric car companies are also popping up. Rivian has what it calls an “adventure vehicle” truck, Lucid is a super-luxury electric vehicle brand and Polestar launched in Sweden. These startups are trying to replicate Tesla’s business and have also hired some of Tesla’s talent.

How much do electric cars cost?

Unless you currently drive a luxury car, be ready for a little sticker shock. And in general, the lower the price, the shorter the range.

In general, Tesla models range from around $ 40,000 to $ 100,000, with price increases for adding larger batteries or accessories. The company also announced it would raise the prices of its two best-selling electric vehicles, the Model Y and Model 3, by $ 2,000. Mini has an electric model starting at $ 30,000, the Nissan Leaf starts at around $ 32,000, and Hyundai has a model priced at around $ 35,000.

But EV proponents say that electric cars require a lot less maintenance and remember, you won’t be paying for gasoline.

When will electric cars be cheaper?

Prices keep dropping, but it’s hard to tell when exactly the cost of an electric vehicle will be about the same as a gasoline car.

“It will be better than gasoline because the cost of batteries will continue to decrease,” said Daniel Sperling of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California at Davis. “There are all kinds of innovations … In the last ten years the costs have been reduced by 85 to 90%. And all forecasts assume that it will continue to decline. “

Tesla’s first electric vehicle, launched in 2008, cost $ 100,000 – or $ 125,000 today. Today, some electric cars cost around a quarter of that price.

Are there any discounts or other incentives to buy electronics?

Yes sir. There is a Federal tax credit of up to $ 7,500 for buying an electric vehicle. There is also a federal tax credit of up to $ 1,000 for installing a charging station. In many parts of the United States, local governments and utilities can also offer incentives. No state in the southeast currently offers a tax credit or financial incentive to buy electric vehicles.

Can you buy a used electric car?

Absolutely, although you may have to hunt around and used electric vehicle prices don’t seem to be falling as fast as some gasoline cars. In addition, older electric cars will not have the range of newer ones.

How far can you go with a fee?

It depends on the EV model, e.g. B. Like some gas-powered cars, they have larger or smaller gas tanks, but most can travel about 200 miles on a single charge.

In general, the higher the vehicle price, the higher the range. The mini model, which starts at around $ 30,000, can travel around 110 miles for a fee. Other cheaper models can go up to 200 miles. Meanwhile, the luxury Tesla S and Lucid Air both get more than 400 miles but cost at least $ 90,000. Lucid brags that its most expensive model surpasses 500 miles per charge.

What is “range fear”?

Range anxiety is when a driver fears that his vehicle does not have enough energy (ie electrical charge) to get him to his destination, e.g. However, experts say the average EV owner only drives around 30 miles a day, so charging isn’t a daily problem and the vast majority of EV charging takes place at home.

“(Range fear) is more of a perception than a reality,” said Stan Cross of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “In fact, when you can come home every night and plug in your electric vehicle, you will experience incredible convenience. And once you sit in the vehicle and experience this technology, you will find that an electric vehicle performs so much better than a car. “

Have pandemic supply chain issues affected electric cars?

Yes sir. There are longer waiting times for electric vehicles, partly caused by the global scarcity of computer chips and problems in the steel supply chain. The increasing demand for electric vehicles also plays a role. In general, the more popular the car, the longer the waiting time.

Ordering the entry-level Tesla Model 3 could take up to 10 months right now, though experts say fancier models may arrive sooner. The situation is similar with other automakers. You could wait six months for a Ford Mustang Mach E.

Are there any additional taxes on electric vehicles?

Yes sir. Many states have laws that charge an additional annual fee for electric vehicles. This is intended to compensate for the omission of the road tolls levied at the gas pump. This money goes towards maintaining the streets. In North Carolina, each plug-in electric vehicle costs $ 130 a year.

Are public battery chargers free?

Yes and no. Some chargers are free and supported by the company, government, or organization that you find them through. When Tesla set up its charging network for the first time around nine years ago, the charging costs were already included in the purchase price. Since then, however, Tesla has been charging either by amount of electricity or by charging time.

The latest infrastructure bill provides for $ 7.5 billion for nationwide charging stations and a competitive grant program with an additional $ 2.5 billion. North Carolina will receive $ 190 million in charging stations from that bill, although the private sector will ultimately likely build most of the EV charging network.

“As soon as companies – just any business – realize that they can be profitable selling electricity for an electric vehicle, we’ll see a little more infrastructure emerge,” said Stephanie Brinley, automotive analyst at IHS Markit.

Brinley said companies can sell advertisements on the charger, raise money for the electricity, or bill property owners for installing chargers.