Why electric cars are not good right now
Electric Cars Are Still Not Good Enough
The Chevrolet Bolt was the little electric car that could. Never the fastest or the fanciest EV, the Bolt and its sticker price of roughly $30,000 made it cheaper than lots of gas cars, all while delivering a respectable 259 miles of range. With its legion of fans, the Bolt outsold every non-Tesla EV in America last year. But if you want to buy a new one, youd better hurry: Chevys parent company, General Motors, stopped making the Bolt at the end of 2023.
The demise of the Bolt was supposed to mark the end of the beginning. In place of the BoltGMs first mass-market EVthe company had planned to unleash a fleet of more advanced EVs early this year. It hasnt gone as anticipated: Software bugs, battery problems, and factory delays have plagued the cars. The battery-powered Equinox SUV has yet to go on sale, and its larger sibling, the Blazer, was released before GM suspended sales. You can buy the fully electric version of the Silverado pickup truckbut demand has been so lukewarm that GM has delayed production at a factory that, you guessed it, used to make the Bolt.
Right now, Americas transition to electric cars is stuck between stages. For electric cars to accelerate toward world dominance, car companies must sell millions of EVs to Americans with no attachment to the idea of battery-powered driving, not only to the early adopters who had few good options beyond Tesla and the Bolt. Now there are at least 50 models available, and nearly every large carmaker has at least one true EV on the market. But few of them are affordable enough for many car buyers, and the next generation of EVsthe ones designed to entice people who have not yet gone electricisnt coming soon enough. As a result, 2024 is shaping up to be a lost year for EVs, with little movement toward our supposed all-electric future.
Even in a lost year, Americans are poised to keep buying EVs. Corey Cantor, a senior EV analyst at BloombergNEF, predicts 1.9 million electrified cars (which includes EVs and plug-in hybrids) to sell in 2024, an all-time high. But thats dwarfed by the fact that Americans bought more than 15 million total vehicles last year. Fords EV sales jumped 80 percent last month over the previous February, but the grand total amounted to just over 6,000 electric cars sold.
Without the enormous sales theyd anticipated, carmakers have walked back hasty electrification proclamations and grown cagey about the inevitability of EVs. In December, GM CEO Mary Barra hedged on its goal of selling only EVs by 2035, saying that although the company still plans to meet that target, were going to be responsive to where the customer is at. In the face of disappointing EV-truck enthusiasm, GM said it would build plug-in-hybrid versions of its top trucks, something the company had dismissed just over a year ago as a half-measure that would dilute its mission to electrify. In December, Ford halved the 2024 production goal for its electric F-150 truck. The unease isnt limited to the big car companies in Detroit. Mercedes pushed back its goal of 50 percent electrified sales, which includes hybrids, from 2025 to 2030.
Maybe carmakers should have seen this coming. The EV revolution has arrived at the end of its first era, which was propelled by early adopters whod pay extra to save the planet or be seen driving the next big thing, says David Rapson, an economist at UC Davis who studies decarbonization. There are only so many of those people, he told me, and a lot of them already drive a Tesla. The next phase, when electric cars leap from early adoption to mass adoption, depends on the people Rapson calls the pragmatists: Americans who will buy whichever car they deem best and who are waiting for their worries about price, range, and charging to be allayed before they go electric.
The current slate of EVs isnt winning them over. Teslas Model Y, the top-selling EV by far, starts at $44,000. Popular models such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Volkswagen ID.4, and the Hyundai Ioniq5 are in the same ballpark, and many early entrants in the EV race cost much more. Meanwhile, the gas-powered Honda CR-V that rules the suburbs starts at $29,500; a Toyota Prius starts for even less. Without the Chevy Bolt, a bargain-EV shopper has few options beyond the uncertain market for used electric cars. They can be had for cheap, because older EVs are depreciating fast. But driving range declines as EVs age for the same reason your smartphone battery fades.
That is not the only reason EVs are not taking off, of course: Public chargers are sorely lacking and prone to malfunctions. And car dealers can lack necessary info about EVs and what tax credits they qualify for. But price matters most of all, and there are just far too few cheap EVs. Following the Bolts surprisingly good sales, GM reversed course and promised to revive its best-selling EV with a better versionbut it wont arrive until next year.
Lots of other cheap electric cars arent ready either. Tesla is reportedly working on a new, entry-level EV that will start at just $25,000, which the company appeared to confirm in a recent earnings callbut the long-awaited vehicle wont debut until next June at the earliest (and probably later, given Teslas tendency to miss its own deadlines). In that same announcement, Elon Musk warned that Tesla would be between two major growth waves in 2024, as the top EV brand would not have a new EV for sale. Ford has been developing an affordable electric for the masses in secret, but it likely wont come this year either. Yesterday, Rivian revealed its more affordable electric SUVs, but those wont hit the street for another two years at least. (The place cranking out very cheap EVs is China, which has Europe and the U.S. in a furor over how to stop them from upending the market.)
In 2024, then, shoppers considering an EV might do best to wait out the car industrys lost year. Even if sales numbers tick up slightlyand February did see a year-over-year increasethat slow, steady growth wont put EVs on pace to go mainstream anytime soon. I think a lot of those people are on hold, Loren McDonald, the CEO of the consulting firm EVAdoption, told me. Theyre going to wait a few years for the perfect model. Faced with a complicated car market in flux, buyers will go with what they know, he said: That means just staying with the regular gas-powered Ford Explorer. Considering that a car stays on the road for a decade or more, that adds up to a lot of carbon dioxide we could otherwise avoid.
Then there is the election, the outcome of which may compound this lost year. Donald Trump has made electric-car antagonism part of his campaign, and his victory would sap federal support for electrification just as EVs are maybe ready to turn a corner in 2025. During an election year, I think theres a natural tendency [for car companies] to hedge, just because we dont know how things are going to shake out, Cantor told me. Car companies that charged ahead with electric models under Joe Biden might rethink their ambitions in the case of a Trump win, Cantor said. (The CEO of Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep, has basically said as much.)
Politics could stymie the advance of EVs in other ways. Rapsons third batch of American buyers after the enthusiasts and pragmatists is the holdoutspeople who might reject electric cars outright. That includes millions of potential buyers of electrified Ford and Chevy trucks who, for reasons political and mechanical, have shown little interest in battery-powered pickups. Pickup buyers do not want electric trucks, McDonald said. Their reluctance casts doubt on the goal of total electrification put forth by politicians and car execs.
The car industrys malaise is a response to a mirage. A country without adequate charging infrastructureand with lots of drivers who resent the idea of electric carswas never going to meet soaring declarations and 2030 deadlines that promised America would electrify in a hurry. But EVs can overcome a lost year. No matter what, the cars will get cheaperand sooner rather than later. So many years and billions of dollars have gone into electrifying the car industry that its now impossible to stop. Small SUVs in the $35,000 range such as the Chevy Equinox and the Volvo EX30 are coming later this year, which could generate momentum for 2025.
Once automakers fill the holes in the EV market with practical vehicles that cost about as much as gas cars, tax credits or no tax credits, the car-shopping decision will come down to whether Americans believe that EVs are truly better cars, period. More pragmatists will start to say yes. Then their neighbors will decide its time to keep up. And then, when electric cars are just cars, even EV haters might decide a $25,000 Tesla is worth it.
The best electric cars
The best electric cars can get you around without leaving a cloud of pollution in your wake, and choosing between them is harder than ever. If only because there are so many quality electric cars available to buy right now. That includes the likes of the Ford F-150 Lightning, Kia EV6 and others.
Tesla might be the best known electric carmaker, but it's far from the only player in the business. In fact several different rivals offer a range of all-electric cars for you to choose from. So whether you want a simple urban runabout or a performance-tier EV, here are the best electric cars on sale right now.
Granted there's a lot you need to decide on before you choose an electric car. Including whether you should opt for one of the cheapest electric cars, or if the model you want is one of the few electric cars still eligible for the federal tax credit. Plus, if you're still really struggling, ber sure to check out our guide to 11 electric cars with the longest range and our guide to whether you should buy an EV or hybrid.
Specifications
Price: From $40,900
Range: 310 miles
0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Drive: AWD; RWD
Availability: On sale now
Reasons to buy
+Striking design
+Up to 310 miles of range
+Comfortable seating
+Cool lighting
+Lots of great tech
Reasons to avoid
-No rear wiper
-View out the back a bit limited
There's an awful lot to like about the Kia EV6. It may not be the fastest electric car out there, nor does it have the longest-lasting battery, but it has just about everything else you could hope for including 310 miles of EPA rated range.
In our time with the car, we were happy to see Kia has outfitted the EV6 with a stylish exterior, and a smart interior that's bursting with class and hi-tech features. Not to mention the 350 kW charging, an augmented reality heads-up display, smart parking, vehicle-2-load capabilities, and 17.6 cubic feet of trunk space. That's without the seats being folded down too.
Combine all that with a very reasonable $40,900 starting price, and you have the recipe for an electric car that's almost perfect. In fact the only faut we can find is that the back window's a little small and there's no rear wipe.
Read our full Kia EV6 review
Specifications
Price: From $27,400
Range: 226
0 to 60: 7.4 seconds
Drive: FWD
Availability: Available Now
Reasons to buy
+Cheapest electric car in the US
+ePedal one-pedal driving mode
+ProPilot driver assistance software
+Roomy interior with Android Auto and CarPlay support
Reasons to avoid
-40 kWh model has limited range
-CHAdeMO rapid charger
While not the most spectacular EV on the market, the Nissan Leaf is an ideal car for people new to EVs, or who simply don't want to spend a lot of money. The 2022 model of the car is even more appealing in that respect, since its starting price is just $27,800 and that's before you take federal and state incentives into account. In fact, the Nissan Leaf is one of just nine electric cars to still be eligible for the federal tax credit meaning it can cost as little as $20,300
The Leaf also offers a roomy interior with plenty of hi-tech options, including the semi-autonomous ProPilot driver assistance software, and the 'ePedal' that offers a one-pedal driving mode for those that want it. It also supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
There are downsides, mainly the fact that the cheaper 40 kWh battery models only offer 149 miles of EPA range. Likewise the Leaf includes a CHAdeMO rapid charger, rather than the CCS favored by every other automaker that isn't Tesla. But if you're looking for an EV that doesn't need to be too big, and you have a tight budget, this is one to consider.
Read our full 2022 Nissan Leaf review
Specifications
Price: 62,990
Range: 330 miles
0 to 60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Drive: AWD
Availability: Now
Reasons to buy
+Lots of storage space
+Autopilot as standard, FSD available
+250kW Supercharging available
Reasons to avoid
-No cheaper standard range model on sale
-No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support
The Tesla popularity contest was long-dominated by the Model 3 on account of its solid performance and lower price tag. But the Model Y has swooped in and stolen its thunder. It may be slightly more expensive than the Model 3, but it makes up for that with practicality and interior space.
The Tesla Model Y has all the parts you need to make a Tesla, including up to 330 miles of range, a 3.5 second 0-60 time, Autopilot, access to the 250kW Tesla Supercharger network, and more. of course all the usual Tesla caveats apply, like the extreme minimalism and the fact everything is centralized in a single touchscreen display. Teslas are popular, but if there's one thing we've learned driving them it's that Elon Musk's cars are an acquired taste. (In fact, after more than 1,000 miles of test drives, our automotive editor still has issues with Tesla's EVs.)
If you want all the benefits of a spacious Tesla, without having to pay a Model X price tag, then the Model Y might be the EV for you.
Read our full Tesla Model Y review
Specifications
Price: from $46,974
Range: 320 miles
0 to 60 mph: 3.8 seconds
Drive: AWD
Availability: On sale now
Reasons to buy
+Impressive Range
+Vehicle-to-load support
+Best Driving F-150
+Compatible with legacy truck accessories
Reasons to avoid
-DC Fast charges at 150kW
-Range destroyed by towing
-Paltry forward visibility
The age of the electric truck is already kicking off, and Ford may have just perfected the formula right out of the gate with the F-150 Lightning. Ford's F-Series trucks have been the best-selling vehicles in America for decades, so the pressure was on to get this one right. Fortunately Ford has taken everything people love about the regular F-150 and given it an all-electric boost.
Not only does the pickup look and drive almost identically to its gasoline and hybrid-powered siblings, it's got all the same features and more. A spacious frunk, more power outlets than you can handle, the BlueCruise autonomous driving system, 230-320 miles of range, and a drive that is smoother and sturdier than gasoline could offer.
So if you want an electric truck, and are willing to handle the lengthy wait period, the F-150 Lightning is the one for you. Especially since it's eligible for the federal EV tax credit.
Read our full Ford F-150 Lightning review
Specifications
Price: From $102,310
Range: 350 miles
0 to 60 mph: 3.4 seconds
Drive: AWD
Availability: On sale now
Reasons to buy
+Excellent range
+Dazzling technology
+Easy charging
+Very easy on the eyes
Reasons to avoid
-Quite bulky
-Expensive
-Limited view out the back
For fans of big luxurious sedans is the Mercedes EQS. It may be an expensive car, even by electric car standards, but this is the perfect blend of fantastic design, advanced technology, top tier performance and some of the longest non-Tesla range on the market. We even go so far to say that it's a masterpiece of German engineering.
But as exotic and luxurious the car is, there's also a lot of practical elements as well. up to 62.5 cubic feet of trunk space, 350 miles of EPA-rated range, the triple-display Hyperscreen dash, a panoramic sunroof and some of the most comfortable seats around. Pure Mercedes style and class, powered by pure electricity.
Read our full Mercedes Benz EQS Sedan review
Specifications
Price: $43,990
Range: 358 miles
0 to 60 mph: 3.1 seconds
Drive: RWD, AWD
Availability: Available now
Reasons to buy
+Forward-looking features
+Over-the-air updates
+Good range for the price
Reasons to avoid
-Distracting center-only instrument display
-No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support
Every car company in the world seems to be gunning for Tesla, but its Model 3 remains one of the best electric cars available, with excellent range, features, and a price that demonstrates that Teslas aren't just for the 1-percenters.
Indeed, the Tesla Model 3 is still one of the best mass-market electric car out there. The Model 3 can go up to 262 miles on a single charge (with the standard battery), and while this car is stubbier and plumper than Tesla's Model S, it's about half the price.
While critics point out that Tesla continues to overstate the technical abilities of its driver-assist Autopilot feature, we think it's still worthwhile, within limits. Software updates offer continual improvements, but if you want more range and better handling AWD, pricing on the Model 3 starts at $41,990.
Read our full Tesla Model 3 review
Specifications
Price: From $45,900
Range: 270 miles
0 to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Drive: RWD / AWD
Availability: Now
Reasons to buy
+270+ miles of range
+Enjoyable and dynamic driving characteristics
+Android Automotive OS
Reasons to avoid
-Apple CarPlay support is still not implemented
-Adaptive Cruise Control is not standard
-RWD is slow off the line
Polestar is a car company founded by Volvo, but kept as a completely independent entity. So while Polestar can benefit from its founders safety technology and other resources, it's free to push the boundaries of electric vehicle performance and engineering. Polestar 2 is the company's first five-door electric car, with a great mix of looks and safety.
Polestar 2 offers dual motor performance, alongside an EPA range of 270 miles per charg and a 0-60 time between 4.6 and seven seconds. It's not industry-leading, but it's still pretty impressive. Polestar also included an infotainment system based on Android Automotive OS, alongside self-cleaning headlights, a Harmon Kardon sound system, and Volvo's Pilot driver assistance system. That includes emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane centering, and all the other bells and whistles you'd expect.
Read our full Polestar 2 review
Specifications
Price: From $39,700
Range: 300 miles
0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Drive: RWD/AWD
Availability: Now
Reasons to buy
+Great looks
+Tons of tech
+Practical design
+Excellent performance
+Solid range
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive to buy
-No rear wiper
If you're looking for a good all-round electric car, then the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a great option. The SUV packs in loads of space for you, your family and whatever you may need to transport, and packs in an impressive 300 miles of range to get you where you need to go.
Better still the IONIQ 5 comes with plenty of tech options, should you want them. There's a built-in heads-up display, wireless charging, mood lighting, and up to 350 kW charging speeds.
Most importantly, however, is that the IONIQ 5 is fun to drive. Not only does it have the instant torque all EVs offer, it's a speedy beast that can jump from 0-60 in just 5.2 seconds. That may not be Tesla-level acceleration, but it isn't bad going - especially for an SUV.
Read our full Hyundai IONIQ 5 review
Specifications
Price: $56,200
Range: 300 miles
0 to 60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Drive: RWD
Availability: Now
Reasons to buy
+Sports car styling
+Over-the-air updates
It may not be the Mustang you were expecting, but Ford's Mustang Mach-E is still the first all-electric car Ford has built. The SUV design might put some people off, but Ford has added a solid mix of technology and performance. That includes a 15.5-inch touchscreen, CarPlay and Android Auto support, and a luxury interior that should keep everyone happy.
It may not be as powerful as a Tesla Model X, or offer quite as much range as other electric cars, but it's still a great option for someone hoping to get all these features for a slightly lower price than the competition is asking for.
Still, Ford recently announced a new Mustang Mach-E GT model that takes things a step further. Boosting power from 346 hp to 460 hp and covering the 0-60 in 3.8 seconds (3r o.5 secs for the Performance Edition).
Read our full Ford Mustang Mach-E review
What to look for in an electric car
Buying a new car is a very personal thing, and electric cars are no exception to that. What you want to look for is all very dependent on your circumstances and what you need the car to be able to do. That'll help you narrow things down and work out which EV is right for you.
If you have a large family, and need to move a bunch of kids and their stuff around on the regular, you're not going to want a compact vehicle. Likewise if you only need something for short trips and getting groceries home, you don't necessarily need a big long-range SUV.
As for range, it's easy to insist that more range is always better but that's not always the case. Having that option is helpful, but if you commute under 50 miles a day and rarely take long road trips, then a car with 300 miles of range isn't essential. It's nice to have if you can afford it, but it shouldn't put you off. The same is true for performance. super-quick cars are fun to drive, but how often are you going to take advantage of that?
Finally, supply chain issues may limit your choice and force your hand. Automakers have been struggling to produce cars, especially as demand picks up, but that doesn't mean they're impossible to buy. Some dealers and automakers will have new models in stock, you just won't get much choice in what features are included.
Next: Here's how you can keep your electric car's battery healthy.
