Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you are likely aware of the growing popularity and interest in electric cars over the past several years. 2017 is the year affordable electric cars are set to hit the road on a large scale.
Electric cars are still very misunderstood by the general public who often perceive them as being too expensive and having too little range or less performance than cars with combustion engines.
It may surprise you to know that most major car companies have one or more electric vehicles available today; many with plans to bring more electric models to market within the next few years.
Tesla, the most well-known and popular electric car company currently has a public image of selling high-end expensive cars which are financially out of reach to the average car buyer. They have worked hard to change the general public’s perception on the electric car and have a progressive plan to make electric cars that are affordable to all.
Elon Musk’s (Founder and CEO of Tesla) long-term strategy has been to start with the first phase offering high-end luxury electric cars. This has worked as intended to greatly improve the public image of electric cars and what they can be; that being: fast (0-60 mph in 2.28 seconds fast! –
in the latest release of their Ludicrous mode option for Model S cars), great battery range (250 miles per charge or more) plus free charging at Tesla supercharging stations, and they look sporty and classy.
In the next phase of Tesla’s plan, the Tesla Model 3, on schedule for first deliveries later this year, is priced to appeal to a much broader consumer base (starting at approx. $35,000 for the base model before potential tax rebates). The model 3 will be a compact sedan and a little less feature-laden that the Model S and Model X – but for at least half the cost, that’s to be expected.
Over 400,000 preorders were placed within the first month of its announcement. Demand for affordable electric cars is certainly proving to be high. These future Model 3 owners put down a $1,000 deposit for a car they had very little information about other than Tesla’s track record, an estimated 215 mile range or higher on a charge and a model demonstrating a non-final design of the vehicle.
Tesla has made other car manufacturers realize they need to offer their own electric vehicles or risk falling behind.
Chevy recently brought their Chevy Bolt all-electric car to market initially in a limited number of States in competition with Tesla’s upcoming Model 3. The Bolt has a battery range of 238 miles on a charge starting at around $37,500 (or $30,000 for those eligible for the full $7,500 federal rebate – which is your own money back to you not other people’s money).
Nissan’s Leaf, another all-electric car, while currently only realistic for people who don’t drive long distances on a daily basis is one of the more affordable options.
Electric car drivers tend to love the powerful acceleration, the quietness, and the low maintenance requirements among other advantages.
Chevy’s Volt is an electric car offering 53 miles of fully electric driving on a full charge with a range-extending gas generator for longer trips. I currently drive a Volt. It’s really fun to drive and after a year has required zero maintenance – not even an oil change.
“I spend far less time at the gas pump as I simply plug it in at night like I do my cellphone.”
With battery technology continually improving and costs for electric cars dropping, there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing a major shift in transportation with more and more electric vehicles on the roads over the coming years.
