All You Need To Know About Buying and Owning Electric Cars

  • The Model X is Tesla’s powerful long-range, all-wheel-drive sports utility vehicle. The body design—featuring a high-tech cabin and double-hinged falcon doors that lift up and over the vehicle—is mostly unchanged since the X’s introduction in 2015. However, Tesla repeatedly tweaks the vehicle’s performance specs, range, and price. The current Model X can now travel between 305 and 328 miles on a single charge.

    Tesla Model X

    The Model X is Tesla’s powerful long-range, all-wheel-drive sports utility vehicle. The body design—featuring a high-tech cabin and double-hinged falcon doors that lift up and over the vehicle—is mostly unchanged since the X’s introduction in 2015. However, Tesla repeatedly tweaks the vehicle’s performance specs, range, and price. The current Model X can now travel between 305 and 328 miles on a single charge.

  • If you like the style and road manners of a BMW 3-Series, but want to push the envelope on efficiency, then the 330e could be the answer. The 2020 version of the 330e bumps its all-electric range to around 25 to 30 miles. At the same, a new XtraBoost feature provides bursts of power at nearly 300 horsepower.

    BMW 330e

    If you like the style and road manners of a BMW 3-Series, but want to push the envelope on efficiency, then the 330e could be the answer. The 2020 version of the 330e bumps its all-electric range to around 25 to 30 miles. At the same, a new XtraBoost feature provides bursts of power at nearly 300 horsepower.

  • The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime provides an EV-only range of 25 miles thanks to its 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. After those miles, the Prius Prime delivers 54 mpg when running on gas—beating all other plug-in hybrids for efficiency when running on gasoline. The 2020 version of the Prius Prime expands its back row seating to become a five-passenger vehicle.

    Toyota Prius Prime (Plug-in Hybrid)

    The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime provides an EV-only range of 25 miles thanks to its 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. After those miles, the Prius Prime delivers 54 mpg when running on gas—beating all other plug-in hybrids for efficiency when running on gasoline. The 2020 version of the Prius Prime expands its back row seating to become a five-passenger vehicle.

  • The Chrysler Pacifica is the only plug-in minivan available today. Fortunately, it’s a class-leader with all the desired comfort and convenience of a great family hauler. The Pacifica matches or beats the style, spaciousness, and handling of its gas-powered minivan rivals. And the Pacifica offers the ability to travel about 32 miles purely on electricity and without emissions.

    Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid

    The Chrysler Pacifica is the only plug-in minivan available today. Fortunately, it’s a class-leader with all the desired comfort and convenience of a great family hauler. The Pacifica matches or beats the style, spaciousness, and handling of its gas-powered minivan rivals. And the Pacifica offers the ability to travel about 32 miles purely on electricity and without emissions.

  • The Tesla Model S is more than a car. It’s the embodiment of the electric-car movement. The Model S is not just a great EV, but one of the world's best luxury sedans. While still technically in its first generation, Tesla makes significant updates and improvements every year—bringing longer range, more power, and enhanced features.

    Tesla Model S

    The Tesla Model S is more than a car. It’s the embodiment of the electric-car movement. The Model S is not just a great EV, but one of the world's best luxury sedans. While still technically in its first generation, Tesla makes significant updates and improvements every year—bringing longer range, more power, and enhanced features.

  • The Chevy Bolt was the auto industry’s first affordable long-range electric car. It starts at $37,500 and provides 238 miles on a single charge. The Bolt is now joined by long-range, low-priced EVs from Hyundai, Nissan, and Kia—as well as the slightly more expensive Tesla Model 3. The all-electric Bolt is a well-rounded, comfortable, and zippy hatchback that can work for everyday drivers.

    Chevrolet Bolt

    The Chevy Bolt was the auto industry’s first affordable long-range electric car. It starts at $37,500 and provides 238 miles on a single charge. The Bolt is now joined by long-range, low-priced EVs from Hyundai, Nissan, and Kia—as well as the slightly more expensive Tesla Model 3. The all-electric Bolt is a well-rounded, comfortable, and zippy hatchback that can work for everyday drivers.

  • The Nissan LEAF is the most popular EV in the world. It is a well-equipped, all-electric hatchback that seats five adults. The LEAF Plus version of the second-generation model can travel up to 226 miles on a single charge. The LEAF is available to test-drive and purchase at Nissan dealerships throughout the United States.

    Nissan LEAF

    The Nissan LEAF is the most popular EV in the world. It is a well-equipped, all-electric hatchback that seats five adults. The LEAF Plus version of the second-generation model can travel up to 226 miles on a single charge. The LEAF is available to test-drive and purchase at Nissan dealerships throughout the United States.

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  • The Nissan LEAF is the most popular EV in the world. It is a well-equipped, all-electric hatchback that seats five adults. The LEAF Plus version of the second-generation model can travel up to 226 miles on a single charge. The LEAF is available to test-drive and purchase at Nissan dealerships throughout the United States.
    Nissan LEAF

    The Nissan LEAF is the most popular EV in the world. It is a well-equipped, all-electric hatchback that seats five adults. The LEAF Plus version of the second-generation model can travel up to 226 miles on a single charge. The LEAF is available to test-drive and purchase at Nissan dealerships throughout the United States.

  • The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime provides an EV-only range of 25 miles thanks to its 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. After those miles, the Prius Prime delivers 54 mpg when running on gas—beating all other plug-in hybrids for efficiency when running on gasoline. The 2020 version of the Prius Prime expands its back row seating to become a five-passenger vehicle.
    Toyota Prius Prime (Plug-in Hybrid)

    The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime provides an EV-only range of 25 miles thanks to its 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. After those miles, the Prius Prime delivers 54 mpg when running on gas—beating all other plug-in hybrids for efficiency when running on gasoline. The 2020 version of the Prius Prime expands its back row seating to become a five-passenger vehicle.

  • Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is a spacious plug-in hybrid that provides 48 miles of all-electric range before the gasoline engine is used. Then it becomes an efficient hybrid sedan offering 42 miles per gallon. Pure EV and fuel-cell versions of the Clarity are also available—but only in California and Oregon. With the demise of the Chevy Volt, the Clarity becomes the king of EV range among plug-in hybrids.
    Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid

    Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is a spacious plug-in hybrid that provides 48 miles of all-electric range before the gasoline engine is used. Then it becomes an efficient hybrid sedan offering 42 miles per gallon. Pure EV and fuel-cell versions of the Clarity are also available—but only in California and Oregon. With the demise of the Chevy Volt, the Clarity becomes the king of EV range among plug-in hybrids.

  • Tesla’s daring EV is a major hit with huge sales and ardent fans. It's an impressive luxury EV with many unprecedented high-tech features. As of this writing, the entry-level Model 3 is the 240-mile Standard Range Plus version, which costs about $38,000. The Model 3 outsells all other EVs combined, for good reasons.
    Tesla Model 3

    Tesla’s daring EV is a major hit with huge sales and ardent fans. It's an impressive luxury EV with many unprecedented high-tech features. As of this writing, the entry-level Model 3 is the 240-mile Standard Range Plus version, which costs about $38,000. The Model 3 outsells all other EVs combined, for good reasons.



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Electric Cars Pros and Cons

Like almost anything in life, electric cars have advantages and disadvantages. You can expect a site like PluginCars.com to generally promote EVs as having, on balance, a lot more benefits than shortcomings—but that doesn’t mean we can’t offer an honest assessment of the pros and cons.

Incentives for Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Cars

We're doing our best to track the growing list of federal and state-based incentives for purchasing an electric car or plug-in hybrid. See how much you can save to get behind the wheel of an electric-drive plug-in vehicle.

Seven Things To Know About Buying a Plug-In Car

Shop around. Consider the incentives. Have faith in the battery. And four other essential things to consider when buying a plug-in vehicle.

Buying Your First Home EV Charger

It’s not rocket science, and you should not overthink the selection and installation of a home charger, also known as an EVSE. That said, there are important differences to consider.

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  • Home Charging Still Fundamental to EV Satisfaction

    The home EV charging market continues to evolve with charging station operators and automakers destined to play an even greater role in satisfying EV drivers’ need to recharge at home. Ahead of unveiling new plug-in vehicles later this year, Ford in October announced a new home charger as well as agreements to enable Ford drivers to roam across multiple networks.


  • A Simple, Affordable Solution for 240-Volt EV Charging

    My 2013 Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid has a relatively small 7.6 kilowatt-hour battery. Because I take mostly short trips, the C-Max’s 20 miles of all-electric range—and access to a plug in my garage—means I only have to gas up about once a month. I thoroughly enjoy spacing out those refueling stops as much as possible. Thankfully, there are new solutions for reducing the charging time without springing for a Level 2 charging station.


  • EV Price Parity Is Already Here, So Where’s the Tipping Point?

    We are approaching the tenth anniversary of the so-called modern electric car. The first sales of the Nissan LEAF, which at the time offered 84 miles on a single charge, were made in December 2009. A decade later, the LEAF goes nearly three times as far for about the same price. But EV sales still represent less than 2 percent of total vehicle sales in the United States.