EV drivers come out ahead when accounting for fueling and maintenance. With the low cost of at-home charging and government incentives, driving an EV is more affordable than it's ever been.
The average price of an electric vehicle is very close to the average price of a gas-powered vehicle. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for a new vehicle in December 2023 was $48,759, while the average transaction price of a new electric vehicle was $50,798.
Many EV models that cost the same or less than a gas-powered vehicle are also already available, with new models entering the market to meet growing demand. Additionally, the used EV market is growing at a fast pace, which will provide flexible budget options for more prospective car buyers. Pre-owned vehicles account for 70% of car sales in the US.
But up front costs are only part of the story when it comes to EV affordability. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, an EV is expected to save drivers $6,000-$12,000 due to lower fueling and maintenance costs when compared to a gas-powered vehicle.
Many electricity providers have programs designed to help EV drivers install at-home Level 2 charging, access lower electricity rates, and other incentives. Check with your local provider to see if you can benefit from some of these programs!
Federal and state-level tax credits are available to help lower the cost of new and used EVs for drivers.
The Inflation Reduction Act includes credits that help reduce the cost of new and used EVs, as well as at-home charging equipment, for eligible individuals.
Meanwhile, many states and local governments offer incentives to transition to zero emission transportation.
Up to $7,500
Up to $4,000 or 30% of vehicle cost, whichever is lower
Individual Credit: $1,000 or 30% of the installed cost or whichever is of lesser value.
Census Tract Required.
Maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for credit eligibility:
Maximum vehicle MSRP for credit eligibility:
Vehicles must meet manufacturing criteria to be eligible.
Maximum AGI for credit eligibility:
Maximum vehicle sale price for eligibility: $25,000
Census Tract Requirement: Limits eligibility to infrastructure installed as defined by 45D(E) census tracts and non-urban census tracts:
Up to $7,500
Maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for credit eligibility:
Maximum vehicle MSRP for credit eligibility:
Vehicles must meet manufacturing criteria to be eligible.
Up to $4,000 or 30% of vehicle cost, whichever is lower
Maximum AGI for credit eligibility:
Maximum vehicle sale price for eligibility: $25,000
Individual Credit: $1,000 or 30% of the installed cost or whichever is of lesser value.
Census Tract Required.
Census Tract Requirement: Limits eligibility to infrastructure installed as defined by 45D(E) census tracts and non-urban census tracts:
One common misconception about EVs is that the battery will require replacement, similar to batteries in gas-powered vehicles. This is extremely unlikely. An analysis by Recurrent showed that only 1.5% of vehicles analyzed required a replacement (excluding manufacturer recalls that resulted in a battery replacement).
Your battery is likely to outlast the vehicle that surrounds it—in fact, most EV batteries will be repurposed for other uses after the vehicle is retired, such as for energy storage or recycled content for new EV batteries.
Battery warranties cover the cost of a battery replacement if necessary. The federal minimum warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles—longer than most gas-powered vehicle powertrain warranties!