Category: Buy an EV

Articles related to purchasing a new or used electric vehicle.

Great Questions about Electric Vehicles: Part 4

We had a local resident email us with some AMAZING questions about electric vehicles. They were so good, we decided to share them with you on our web page. This is Part 4, talking about vehicle costs, and charging with solar power.
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Q: Will electric cars ever be affordable for those on fixed income?

While EVs tend to be more expensive at purchase, there are a few factors that help make that initial purchase less painful. The main one is something called “total cost of ownership.” That means while EVs tend to cost more when you purchase them, the money you save from reduced maintenance and fuel costs more than make up for the initial expense.  Imagine no oil changes, no radiator flushes, no belts and timing chains to replace, and far less wear to your brakes.

The second one has to do with federal incentives available starting in 2023.  There is a program for tax incentives for new AND used EVs as part of the IRA infrastructure bill that tries to offset some of that initial expense of going electric. For new EVs that qualify, you can receive up to a $7,500 tax credit; used EVs that qualify can receive up to a $4,000 credit. But what if you don’t owe that much in taxes?  Here’s a little secret: if you lease ANY new electric vehicle, you can get $7,500 off the initial price! 

The third idea: consider a used electric vehicle. Due to the fact that many EV enthusiasts lease an EV for three years, in order to get the newest and latest technology, that means a large number of used EVs in great shape are available every year. And as we mentioned in the previous post, even used EVs can qualify for a tax credit – as long as they fall within the parameters, like being more than two years old, and less than $25,000 sale price.

Q: What should one know before assuming they can charge their EV with a solar panel? How many solar panels are needed for one EV? How long does charging take with solar panels?

While many EV drivers use solar panels, it’s not exactly a cut-and-dried solution. Typically, these two things are done separately – solar panels to power your home, and an EV that is powered from the grid.  A solar system that also uses batteries can be used to charge the vehicle, directly but these will vary widely, depending on the company and your local utility’s energy program.

Most people who install solar do it primarily to handle the home’s energy needs, which will also “help” charge the car. Again, a battery system can be used for this, but everyone’s situation is different. If you want a system to power your entire home, as well as your vehicle, it will determine how many panels your home would need.

Another alternative is to use what’s known as community energy. Companies like Arcadia Power allow you to sign up, link to your utility, and use wind or solar energy to power your entire home. It requires no installation or complicated home electrical wiring. Arcadia claims renewable credits on your behalf, and you can truly say your home AND car are 100 percent powered by renewables.

Q: What if the sun isn’t shining? What if power goes out during charging, will it harm the battery in any way? Will it automatically restart charging when the power comes back on?

No harm will come to the EV’s battery if the power goes out – happens at my home more than I care to admit, due to local utility outages. It’s literally just like your cell phone – charging will typically resume as soon as the power comes back on.  However, if your home had some kind of battery storage, the charge may not be interrupted at all. It would depend on what type of system you install on your home.

And if you do decide to install solar on your home, we cannot stress this enough: hire a reputable, licensed contractor. Ask for references, and talk to other clients. Here in Las Vegas, we like to recommend Robco Electric. Their company has done countless solar AND electric vehicle charging installations, and they’re good friends of NVEVA. Ask for Krystal, and tell her the NVEVA sent you!

NOTE: NVEVA does NOT use affiliate links at this time.

Great Questions about Electric Vehicles: Part 2

We had a local resident email us with some AMAZING questions about electric vehicles. They were so good, we decided to share them with you on our web page. This is Part 2, talking about battery life, and used EVs.
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Q: How long should one expect an EV battery to last? I’ve heard 15-20 years, but how much life can one really expect if the vehicle is kept in an extreme climate?

Every new all electric vehicle in the US comes with a 100,000 mile warranty on the main battery – some are even more. And typically battery life is based on miles, not years.  While the technology is still advancing, the current accepted standard for an EV battery is somewhere over 200,000 miles – some claim much higher.

While heat can definitely be an issue, most EVs made today have a liquid temperature management system – basically a radiator for your battery, which keeps its temperature cooler in summer, and warm in winter. 

If the battery temperature is moderated properly, there’s no reason to think the battery can last hundreds of thousands of miles. Liquid temperature management helps a lot. For cars without a liquid system, things like parking in a garage or covered parking may help the long-term life of the battery.

Q: Is it ever worthwhile to purchase a used EV? How does one evaluate the remaining life of the battery? Does the mileage matter? Does one need to know where the vehicle came from (extreme climate, rental agency, etc)?

Buying a used vehicle – gas or electric – requires the same type of homework, with just a few more steps.  Like any car, you’ll want to check for any remaining warranty available, damage or repair report (like a CarFax), and the like. 

For an EV, it’s best to ask for what’s called a State of Health report.  This can tell you if the battery has suffered any degradation over time, and is typically expressed in percentage of new (i.e., 92 percent). A reputable dealer will be able to get that report for you. 

And don’t forget – there may be tax advantages to getting an EV – new or used – if the vehicle you choose makes the qualifications (See our blog on Tax Incentives for details.)

Next: let’s talk end of battery life

Great Questions about Electric Vehicles: Part 1

We had a local resident email us with some AMAZING questions about electric vehicles. They were so good, we decided to share them with you on our web page. So here goes:

Q: What does it cost to charge an EV at home? 

The two main factors for charging cost are the rate for electricity, and the size of the battery. According to their website, NV Energy charges $0.16 per kwh.  Now let’s say your car’s battery holds 60 kwh.  The cost of charging from 0-100 percent should be about $9.60.  However, most of the time, you wouldn’t let the battery get down to zero – not a good idea for several reasons.  So your average charge will be much less.

Q: Is it safe to charge an electric car in a closed garage?

The answer is definitely yes!  In fact, most drivers charge at home something like 90 percent of the time.  EV charging causes no fumes to be emitted – unlike fueling up with gas or diesel – so there’s no danger of vapor catching fire in your garage.

But I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about electric vehicles catching fire. That sells a lot of newspapers!  However, the facts are much different.  A recent insurance liability study showed that regular gas and diesel vehicles catch fire at a rate 60 to 100 times more often than EVs! So in a way, EVs are actually safer to keep in your garage!

Q: What does it cost to charge an EV at a charging station?

Before we go there, let’s do a very brief explanation about EV charging.  Basically there’s three levels.  Level 1 is plugging into a normal outlet at your home, at 120 volts.  Level 2 is the equivalent of plugging into an electric dryer outlet, at 240 volts.  Level 3 charging (also called DC Fast Charging) is what you find at gas stations and EV fueling stations like a Tesla Supercharger.  They are MUCH more power – 440 volts and above.

Level 1 is the slowest, and can take many hours to charge fully.  Level 2 is 4-10 times as fast, and can charge the car in a few hours.  Level 3 will typically charge a car within a few minutes.

If you do need to use a charging station outside your home, the price may vary widely, especially depending on if it’s Level 2 or 3.  First off, many shopping malls and stores don’t charge at all. It’s often a free service for their customers – but not everywhere, and that could change at any time. Chargers at gas stations and EV stations are typically Level 3, and these will always be a paid service.  Rates can vary widely, but are still significantly cheaper than buying gasoline or diesel.

Some brands like Tesla have software to show you where charging stations are located, and how much they cost.  Others use software like PlugShare to locate stations when needed. Your experience will vary, depending on how much you drive, where you drive, and what brand of vehicle you purchase.

Next: Battery life, and used EVs

How EV charging works: Cables and connections explained

Since an EV uses electricity and not gasoline, the common question is, “How do I fill it up?” In essence, it’s really not that complicated. But just like you had to learn the difference between gasoline and diesel, or low octane versus high octane, EV charging has a few different levels available – three, to be exact.

Level 1: Home outlet

Level 1 Charger. Image courtesy evchargesolutions.com

Every EV sold comes with what’s referred to as a Level 1 charger. These chargers plug into a normal wall outlet, just like your TV or vacuum cleaner. They use a standard 120 volt outlet common to all households in the US. Because it’s not that powerful of an energy source – delivering a maximum of 15-20 amps – charging an EV this way can take a while. In the case of a short range EV like a Nissan Leaf, the battery can often be charged overnight (approximately 10 hours or more). Longer-range vehicles like a Chevy Bolt or Tesla will take significantly longer to fully recharge an empty battery.

Level 2: Electric dryer outlet

Level 2 charger. Image courtesy Lectron (via Amazon)

The next step up is a Level 2 charger. This is the equivalent power of an electric dryer outlet, delivering 220 volts of power at 32-40 amps. It’ll work roughly 3-8 times faster than a Level 1 charger. A short range EV would be fully charged in a few hours. Longer-range vehicles may be fully charged overnight, and for that reason, people who own these models often install a Level 2 charger at home.

In many areas of the country, Level 2 charging stations are available in a number of public areas including shopping malls, public buildings, universities and more. In Las Vegas, any Level 2 charging station in a public area is available to use free of charge. You’ll need an account with ChargePoint to use them, but that’s free too. (We’ll discuss that in detail farther down the page.)

Level 3: Maximum power

Electrify America Level 3 Charging Stations.

Level 3 charging stations – also known as DC Fast Charging – offer the highest levels of power available. These outlets exceed 400 volts and over 60 amps of power to deliver charge very quickly. It’s commonly quoted that even long-range EVs can charge to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes. All Tesla Superchargers fall into this category, along with offerings from EVGo, Electrify America and others.

As a trade-off versus Level 2 chargers, all Level 3 chargers require payment to use. In Las Vegas, we have a total of 12 DC Fast chargers not made for Tesla. The Linq Casino here just opened a new Tesla Supercharger with over 20 charging stations, so they continue to grow very rapidly as well.

Another important note: Not all EVs come with Level 3 charging by default. If you’re EV shopping, ask specifically about DC Fast Charge capability.

There’s a great article on the ChargePoint website that explains charge levels in greater detail.
https://www.chargepoint.com/blog/level-your-ev-charging-knowledge/

Making the Connection

So now that you know the charge levels, what about actually connecting your car to the charging station? Yes, unfortunately, there are a number of different port configurations, which means you can’t charge just anywhere. Fortunately, this is a much smaller problem in the US in recent years. We’ll talk about the ones that are most common here.

CHAdeMO port

The CHAdeMO port was most common on the earlist versions of the Nissan Leaf. Newer versions now include this port along with the now-more-common CCS combo port, which we’ll talk about next.

CCS Combo port

CCS Combo (aka J-1772) port. Image courtesy GreenCarReports.com

The CCS Combo port (also known as a J-1772 port) is the common standard among Level 2 chargers in the US. Its advantage is that a vehicle with this port and Fast DC Charge capability can also do Level 3 charging using the same connector.

Tesla Charge port

Tesla charge port. Image courtesy Wikipedia.

Tesla is one of the leading brands of electric vehicle, and their commitment to building Supercharger stations across the world is remarkable. But, they use a proprietary connector, so only Teslas can use their Supercharger stations. BTW, using these chargers is definitely not free, even for Tesla owners.

UPDATE: Ford recently announced starting in 2024, their EVs will come with the Tesla charging port, and access to a large portion of Superchargers.

How can I find a charging station?

There are a few different phone apps and websites to help you find a charging station, should you need to fill up away from home. The three most common are:

  1. PlugShare. PlugShare’s website and app offer the ability to filter locations based on your car’s connector, and other criteria which is brand-agnostic. That way you won’t pull up to a charger with the wrong port. PlugShare.com
  2. ChargePoint. ChargePoint has probably the largest network of charging stations in the US. Their website is very useful, but you’ll probably find yourself in the car when you need it, so the app is a must have. You’ll need to register for a ChargePoint account in order to use them, but signup is free. (Here’s a hint: get the physical charge card mailed to you as well. Some stations don’t respond well to the app.) ChargePoint.com
  3. EVGo. EVGo is the owner of all Level 3 (or DC Fast Charge) stations in the Las Vegas area. A total of 12 EVGo stations are available as of this writing, and all are located at Terrible Herbst locations. There’s a cost to use based on subscription plans and time of use, but when you need a fast fill up it’s your fastest option. EVGo.com
  4. Tesla Superchargers. If you own a Tesla, you already know about their extensive network of Superchargers. Apps for locating those stations are built into the car’s software, so no additional effort is needed.

See? It’s a lot of information, but no matter what EV you drive, you don’t have to know everything. But if you still have questions, don’t be afraid to ask us about it.

The Las Vegas EVA is a chapter of the Electric Vehicle Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

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Quick Guide to Federal EV Tax Credits – 2024

Sources: Plug In America, Electrek.co, IRS, FuelEconomy.gov

There’s no doubt there’s been plenty of confusion regarding the new tax credits for EVs. We’ve culled a number of sources for the most up to date information, so you can be well informed.

Keep in mind, manufacturers are continually making changes to take advantage of the new rules – or introduce sales incentives that match or beat them – so you’ll want to stay vigilant as you go car shopping.

Here’s the latest from Plug In America:

PURCHASE – Vehicle Requirements:

  • Must be listed on FuelEconomy.gov website
    https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax2023.shtml
  • MSRP limit on vehicle price
    – $80,000 for SUVs, Pickup Trucks and Vans
    – $55,000 for all other vehicles
  • Income limits:
    – $300,000 for joint filers
    – $225,000 for head of household
    – $150,000 for single filers
  • Only one taxpayer can claim the tax credit
  • Your tax credit can be signed over to the dealer, lowering the vehicle price. A certified dealer will give you a tax rebate document with your purchase papers.
  • Must be purchased for personal use, not for resale
  • Must be primarily used in the U.S
  • Must be new
  • Seller must report required information (your name, tax ID# and VIN) to you at the time of sale and to the IRS
  • You WILL still be required to file the credit on your taxes, showing you transferred it to the dealer, using the document received at the dealership.

How The Credit Works

  • $3,750 for minerals; $3,750 for battery components
  • Applies to vehicles purchased on April 18, 2023 and onward
  • Based on receipt of the vehicle, not the date you ordered
  • Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for 2023 or 2024 can be used
  • Pricing based on MSRP, not extras like destination charges, taxes, fees
  • Prior sales limits do not apply, so brands like Tesla and GM are eligible

Used EVs are eligible too!

The new law also allows up to $4,000 tax credit for a used EVs meeting eligibility requirements.

  • Tax credit can be up to 30% of sales price, up to $4,000
  • Must be listed on website:
    https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml
  • Vehicle sale price must be $25,000 or less
  • Must be older than two model years (pre-2021)
  • Must be sold by a dealer
  • Income limits
  • – $150,000 for joint filers
    – $112,500 for head of household
    – $75,000 for single filers
    • Your tax credit can be signed over to the dealer, lowering the vehicle price. A certified dealer will give you a tax rebate document with your purchase papers.
    • Purchaser is eligible once every 3 years
    • Must be purchased for personal use, not for resale.
    • Can’t be the original owner of the vehicle.
    • Can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
    • Must be primarily used in the U.S.
    • Each vehicle is only eligible for one tax credit
    • Dealer must report required info to you and to the IRS.
    • Businesses, non-profits, and fleets not eligible

The dirty little secret: Leasing!

Due to what is considered a loophole in the new law, virtually any EV can receive the full tax credit if it is leased through a commercial lessee. Many of the vehicles not subject to the purchase tax credit can receive it via this leasing method. A list of current brands and models eligible for the leasing credit are listed on this Electrek article.

Vehicles who do not qualify, such as the Kia EV6, the company is already changing incentives to match or beat the federal credit. But here’s how it stands right now:

  • Must be made by a qualified manufacturer.
  • Must be propelled by an electric motor of at least 7kWh and be able to charge
  • The credit amount is the lower of:
  • – 15% of the sales price for Plug-In Hybrids
    – 30% of the sales price for all electric vehicles
    • Lessee will get the credit; make sure they pass it on to you, and that you receive your IRS document for tax filing!

Commercial EV Credit

With the advent of larger vehicles like the Tesla Semi, the bill also includes incentives for large-scale commercial vehicles users to benefit.

  • Must be made by a qualified manufacturer and be able to charge from an external source of electricity
  • Vehicles under 14,000 lbs: 7kWh motor
  • Vehicles over 14,000 pounds: 15kWh
  • Rebate maximum:
  • – $7,500 under 14,000 lbs
    – $40,000 over 14,000 lbs
  • Must be new
  • Must not be acquired for resale.
  • Only eligible for one tax credit.
  • Must be used for business purposes.
  • Seller must report required information to you and the IRS

I can’t stress it enough: the rules – and manufacturer’s moves to work around these restrictions – may change. So please double-check details before you sign on the dotted line.

Complete List Of Electrified Vehicles Available In USA – UPDATED 2023

—UPDATED APRIL 2023—

Interested in an electric vehicle or PHEV, not sure what your choices are? The Electric Vehicle Association has created a handy guide to see all the options in detail. Feel free to click on the link below to download a copy.

NOTE: Not all vehicles are sold in every state, so check with your local dealer for availability.

EVA-OneSheet-24-2023-04Download

Electric cars are the smart choice for Nevadans

In the July 25, 2021 edition of the Las Vegas Sun, I had the opportunity to share my experience purchasing my first electric vehicle, and how new clean cars standards proposed for the state of Nevada could make it much easier for future EV buyers.


https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2021/jul/25/electric-cars-are-the-smart-choice-in-nevada/

Fresh reviews of the Kona and Niro

Since both the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona are recent newcomers to the EV marketplace, stories are fast and furious showing recent drives and initial driver impressions.

This one gives driver reviews of each vehicle and their unique features (spoiler alert: since Kia and Hyundai are sister companies, both rank pretty highly). Here’s the link to review them for yourself:

Real drivers review new 2019 EV models

Beginner’s Guide to Driving an EV

KQED-FM recently posted an informative article on the things you should think about when considering an electric vehicle for your next purchase.

It begins, “Electric vehicles (EVs) are getting cheaper—so whether you’re looking for a way to save on the hassle and cost of gas, shrink your carbon footprint, or simply zip around in a new Tesla, there are lots of reasons to consider a hybrid or electric car.

But before you go electric, there are a few decisions you have to
make—and some planning you need to do—to make sure the car you buy fits your driving needs. Here are a few things to consider before you make the switch.”

The link to the full article is included below:

https://www.kqed.org/science/1947909/the-beginners-guide-to-electric-cars