I have no opinion as I've never seriously considered an EV. If I could charge at home, might be a consideration. I'm 78, live in a 45 year old townhouse with 200 amp panel that's original. There is no practical way to charge where i park, community rules make it very difficult to run power to a vehicle and would cost (rough estimate) $20k to upgrade my service, run power across (under!) a sidewalk and install a charging station on land i don't own. We're rural here with no nearby charging stations. I'm 78 and don't want to wait half hour plus sitting in either a cold or hot car charging. Doesn't work well for me. I have looked at hybrids, would consider going that way.
OK this year is it - New EV - RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE
- Thread starter Pablo
- Start date
Having had three EV's I can share my experience - a Tesla 3, Volvo EX40 (small suv), and Polestar 2 (Volvo DNA). My wife and I are big fans, we have a gas car for long trips (over 400 miles) and use EV's exclusively around Phoenix. They work great and are fun to drive. We got rid of the Tesla and moved to the Volvo, later adding the Polestar (prevents fights on who got the EV for the day). If one likes the more 'stark/sterile' and future forward driving style of the Tesla - they have great software with less build quality (expect squeaks, lower quality fit/finish). However, the Volvo/Polestar are exceptionally close to driving a traditional car - they just have the speed of an EV and different power source. I can lend the Volvo/Polestar to friends who have never driven an electric and they have no problems. With the Tesla I'd have to do a bit of a tutorial on things like (how to open door in/out, how to shift, how to control things and more). I highly recommend test driving all that you can, and consider a one to two year old EV! They did a lot of leases and can be a great buy a year old with 15k or less miles - we bought two of the three this way and saved 30% to 40% off MSRP this way. Best of luck!
Many good choices now, so suggest you and wife test drive many to see which ones you like.
Make sure you test some that offer the selectable "One Pedal Drive Mode" that you just modulate the "throttle pedal" to accelerate, maintain speed and decelerate/stop. Many have an added finger switch on the steering wheel to increase deceleration above throttle pedal off rate. When stopped at light, just foot off no brake pedal application needed. Use the brake pedal only when a high level of braking is needed. With One Pedal Drive Mode selected, I only have to use brake pedal to avoid hitting deer/other animals and to avoid the occasional poor/entitled drivers we encounter.
Many good discounts now and if you choose a GM EV (possibly others brands as well) and have a Costco Card you can get an added Costco discount of $1,000 or $1,250 depending on membership level. (I believe you have to have been a member since October to qualify)
My personal input is the base LT Trim Equinox EV is one of the better low cost options. I have driven them a few times and they offer a nice package at a lower price for basic transportation. Nicer and larger than the 2023 Bolt EV we have. But Bolt does great for our local driving/moderate round trip dives so we chose not to upgrade recently even with good deals available.
My primary vehicle for over 25 years were full size Crew Cab 4WD Pickups (1500/2500/3500 gasoline and diesel). Then Lovely wife said she needed a car just in case after she let me know she permanently loaned her almost new small crossover SUV to daughter to use while finishing college. Wife rarely drives as she waits for one of our kids or me to drive her. After an unsuccessful attempt of suggesting I put a Uber app on her phone I got her a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt as it was a low cost option for a likely another "garage queen".
Now 3 years ownership with just under 30,000 miles. No issues with only tire rotations and cabin filter maintenance. Coolant change show at 150,000 miles/10 years.
Lifetime efficiency for my mixed suburban, county, interstate driving is 4.2 miles per kWh (our residential rate is just under $0.17 per kWh). We installed a Level 2 Home Charger on a 220 VAC 60 amp circuit. As Astro 14 mentioned, a 60 amp circuit/breaker allows a 48 amp max charging rate which is 11.5 kW per hour. This is due to National Electric code requirement for EV charging circuits to only use 80 percent of circuit/breaker rating.
I never thought I would like an EV but since it is always available (wife has driven it a few times) it is now my daily driver and my pickup is only used when towing, hauling, or trips that exceed the battery range of the Bolt. I now enjoy driving the EV over the other ICE vehicles in the family fleet.
The Bolt in summer with AC on averages around 5.5 mile per each kWh and cold winter (0 to 20 F) with cabin heat/defrosters is around 2.5 to 3.5 miles per kWh. Summer time I see 280 to 300 miles range at 100 percent charge. Cold winter it drops to 160 to 200 for us. Faster highway speeds, spirited acceleration, and cold weather cabin heating require more energy. Stop and go and slower speeds are most efficient.
My favorite EV aspect is home charging at night so never having to wait to fill up at the lower cost fuel station which i use. I smile each time i drive by a busy backed up low cost fuel station like Costco or Sams Club knowing that I will charge up at home when sleeping.
Enjoy your search. Make sure you both are happy with your selection.
Best regards
Slick
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2020
- Messages
- 721
Buy used. Depreciation is horrendous. A used Lyriq is probably one of the better deals if charging speed isn't top priority. The Blazer can also be had fairly cheaply used. These are already below 25,000. The Polestar has a weird cupholder layout. It might make the front seat occupants fight. The Mach E GT can be had below 30,000.
@Pablo whatever you choose, you just might find your EV to be the most convenient car you have ever owned.
Most have incredible off-idle torque; they just pull hard. So fun and great driveability.
As others have posted, they drop like a rock in value. And leftover vehicles can be a crazy good bargain vs MSRP. Used even better.
Good luck and have fune with it.
Oh yeah, forget about oil changes... Ha!
Most have incredible off-idle torque; they just pull hard. So fun and great driveability.
As others have posted, they drop like a rock in value. And leftover vehicles can be a crazy good bargain vs MSRP. Used even better.
Good luck and have fune with it.
Oh yeah, forget about oil changes... Ha!
Here's all you need to know. Buy It Used!!!!!
2026 Tesla model Y Long Range AWD. 327 Miles of range with the 19 wheels , 303 with the 20. 0 to 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds. pricing starts at about 50K for this trim. there is a performance model that start at 60K and is a beast. honestly the Long Range AWD is the overall best compromise. it has everything.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Isn't Canadian Tire, Rona, Home Hardware, and Tim Hortons just a stones throw from you?
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
It might be prudent to go with a known quantity. You are not two miles from a EV dealership, and even if you were, is that EV dealership going to be in business next year?
@Astro14 mentioned a lease as a rare exception for a vehicle, definitely think a lease for a EV has some distinct advantages. One question I would want to know, if the EV manufacturer goes belly up, do you still have to pay the lease.
@Astro14 mentioned a lease as a rare exception for a vehicle, definitely think a lease for a EV has some distinct advantages. One question I would want to know, if the EV manufacturer goes belly up, do you still have to pay the lease.
I agree. That's a nice looking SUV. A lease IMO is the only way to go with an EV, especially for a first time EV owner. 24 months and if it turns out to be a mistake it would be a short term mistake, and easier to unload.
Has anyone checked out the new Toyota BZ?
See link in OP
Patman
Staff member
I’m curious, for EVs that have that feature, do the brake lights come on when the driver lifts off the accelerator to alert people behind that it’s slowing down?
Nice car for sure! True cost is $746.45 per month taking into account the "due on signing" 10,000 miles a year.
Lease price for two years $14,929.00 plus typical fees, tax title etc.
Production stopped for 2026 and speculation because of that what might hold for 2027 and beyond.
I’ll throw in a curve from left field. Pick up an ID Buzz in AWD. VW only imported them for 2025. It has personality, space, and is more appropriately priced with heavy incentives. They will be rare here. The major negative is that the range isn’t the best.
Caterham Project V.