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Before full electric vehicles began rolling off of automakers’ assembly lines in earnest, adventurous enthusiasts would simply create their own with off-the-rack parts. A cottage industry has grown around the notion that just about any internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle can be converted to run on electricity. This assumes, of course, that one has the necessary financial resources and is either mechanically skilled or is on good terms with a top-notch mechanic. If you don’t find the current crop of battery-powered rides appealing, or you just want to tinker with the technology, expect to pay $8,000 or more for a…
Though owning an electric vehicle can save a motorist money over time in terms of lower operating and maintenance costs, they’re priced higher than conventionally-powered models. The least expensive EVs for 2018 are priced between around $25,000 and $33,000, and that’s for what would otherwise be considered small economy cars. While there are equipment differences between the two, the conventionally-powered hatchback version of the compact Ford Focus has a base sticker price of $21,415, while the Ford Focus Electric starts at $29,999. Similarly, the Volkswagen eGolf at $33,145 is considerably costlier than the base version of the standard Golf that…
Hyundai used the New York Auto Show as an opportunity to debut the new electric variant of its Kona compact crossover. The little five-door model competes in the burgeoning field of small, affordable EVs, so it only makes sense to see how it stacks up against two of the major players in the segment: the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf. Powertrain Hyundai Kona EV Chevrolet Bolt Nissan Leaf Range 250 miles (402 km) estimated 238 miles (383 km) 151 miles (243 km) Battery (kilowatt hours) 64 kWh 60 kWh 40 kWh Horsepower 201 hp (150 kW) 200 hp (149 kW) 147…
It’s all about operating range when it comes to electric cars, with the best of the genre able to run for a full day’s drive on a charge, but with the worst barely able to make it out to the suburbs and back without having to be tethered to an outlet. Tesla still leads all automakers when it comes to operating range, with its flagship Model S sedan in its top P100D version able to run for as much as a claimed 337 miles on a charge; it also includes a Ludicrous mode that affords, well, ludicrous acceleration with a…
If you’re in the market for an EV, you know that some of them can pricey with options. We’re looking at you, Tesla. But the reality of its is, not all-electric cars garner premium price tags over their gasoline counterparts. There are more than a few options that will still give you the efficiency you’re looking for without breaking the bank. According to Autolist, most buyers think that a quality EV will cost on average about $5,000 more than a standard gas-powered vehicle – but that’s just not true. In a survey of 1,249 vehicle owners, with listing data derived…
Though just about every automaker has announced grand plans to electrify virtually their entire fleets in the decades ahead, full electric cars remain largely niche vehicles, with most to date (notable exceptions being the new Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3) limited to 100 miles or fewer on a charge. And yet, looking deep into the numbers, one could make a strong case for buying a used EV as a budget-minded second or third model in a family’s fleet, or even primary transportation for someone having only modest vehicular needs. As it is, most used EVs would be sufficient to…
As we outlined in a separate post, astute shoppers should do their homework and choose a new vehicle that has the lowest long-term operating costs to get the most bang for one’s vehicular bucks over time, with depreciation, fuel costs, and insurance premiums being the most significant factors to monitor. Fortunately, the experts at the auto-industry research firm Vincentric have already run the numbers and determined which models deliver the lowest five-year ownership expenses. Here we’re looking at hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric vehicles, while we’re featuring the cheapest-to-own cars, SUVs and minivans, and pickup trucks in separate posts. Vincentric’s breakdowns of ownership costs for all makes and models are included…