Car Corner: February 2024
The electric car market is always evolving. Our Car Corner quarterly blog is the Drive Green Team’s way of...
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This summer, we are excited for the release of several new electric vehicles and our Car Corner series will cover all the new updates you need to know! With so many new options to choose from, selecting the right electric vehicle (EV) for you can be tough, but we’re committed to providing you with all the necessary information to make a knowledgeable decision.
Tracking the market and available electric vehicles can be tough and very time-consuming. We’ve done the research for you, so you don’t have to! These EVs are easily available to buy and are sitting on dealers' lots for immediate purchase. Just note, several automakers have recently changed their pricing, so be aware that some EVs may cost more now than they did a few weeks ago. We have included their most updated prices plus any incentives and rebates to help lower the cost. And remember, if the vehicle you want to buy is not eligible for the federal tax rebate, you may be able to save money by leasing because of a tax credit loophole.
Here are some popular EVs that are readily available:
Honda Prologue
The Prologue is a brand-new electric model from Honda based on the same Chevrolet Ultium platform as the Equinox and Blazer. In our last Car Corner, this EV was listed as an upcoming vehicle we were excited for, but now it’s readily available for purchase at dealerships. This mid-size SUV has a starting price of $47,400 with 296 miles of range and plenty of cargo space. With an attractive exterior and Honda’s reputation for reliability, we expect this to be a very popular model among consumers, especially families and those needing a bit more space. This SUV is eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax rebate, $3,500 through MOR-EV for Massachusetts residents, and $1,500 through DRIVE EV for Rhode Island residents.
Chevrolet Blazer
When the Chevrolet Blazer was first released, it faced several delays, and purchasing a model was quite hard. But Chevy has recently fixed their software issues and dealerships have increased their inventory. This mid-size SUV is based on GM’s new Ultium platform which utilizes improved battery technology and has up to 324 miles of range. The starting price of $48,800 is offset by $7,500 for the federal tax rebate and both the $3,500 Massachusetts and $1,500 Rhode Island rebates.
Tesla Model Y
Tesla has been a major player in the electric vehicle segment since its inception. The Model Y, an affordable SUV, is one of the best-selling EVs on the market. It offers generous cargo space and a 320-mile range all for a starting price of $44,990. There are plenty of Model Ys available at Tesla Showrooms without any wait time, plus Tesla is currently offering very attractive financing options and lease deals including 0.99% APR for qualified buyers. The Model Y is also eligible for the full $7,500 in federal tax credit, plus both the $3,500 Massachusetts and $1,500 Rhode Island state rebates.
Cadillac LYRIQ
The Cadillac LYRIQ has flown under the radar since its launch in 2022. But this mid-size SUV offers luxurious materials, advanced technology, and is readily available with no wait times. This model is Cadillac’s first electric vehicle and offers one of the biggest and best screens available in a car, with over 33 inches of 9k resolution. The LYRIQ starts at $58,590 and offers up to 314 miles of range. It is eligible for the full $7,500 in federal tax credit and the $1,500 Rhode Island rebate but does not qualify for the Massachusetts MOR-EV rebate because it’s over the $55,000 price limit.
Chevrolet Equinox
Like the Prologue, the Equinox was featured in our last Car Corner as an unavailable but upcoming EV. We were excited about its release and Chevy has finally started shipping models to dealerships. Just be sure to call the dealership before arriving to be sure the vehicle is shipped and, on the lot, because these models are so new. This is currently the most affordable EV with a range of over 300 miles. It is available for purchase at only $41,900 with a range of up to 319 miles. The Equinox also used the new Ultium platform, which allows for super-fast DC fast charging speeds, gaining 70-80 miles of range in only 10 minutes of charging. The Equinox is eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax rebate and both the $3,500 Massachusetts and $1,500 Rhode Island rebates.
The following vehicles are harder to come by and either have significant wait times or you must travel far to find one for sale. Sometimes, this is due to limited production of new vehicles and other times this is due to vehicle popularity.
Here are some EVs with longer wait times:
Chevrolet Silverado EV
If you’re in the market for an electric truck, there are several options you can choose from, including the new Silverado. With a 440-mile range and 10,000 lbs. of max towing, the Silverado is a capable work truck. But they can be hard to come by because Chevrolet has only released the first edition trim level in limited quantities and many dealerships have low to no inventory. Currently, only the First Edition RST trim level is available for purchase and has a very high starting price of $96,495, but more affordable trim levels are expected in the coming months. As of this blog’s release, the Silverado is no longer eligible for the federal tax credit, but this may change. (Last year the model was eligible, but is currently not, so be sure to check before purchasing.) Unfortunately, the Silverado is also not eligible for Rhode Island DRIVE EV incentive but is eligible for the Massachusetts MOR-EV Truck $7,500 rebate. If you’re interested in purchasing but want a better deal, we recommend waiting a few months for other trim levels to be released and for inventory to increase.
Tesla Cybertruck
While we have seen a few Cybertrucks on the road and even have a few EV Ambassadors who were able to buy one, we have been told that waitlists can be quite long for those looking to purchase. The purchase price for the entry-level rear-wheel-drive model starts at $60,990 with 250 estimated miles of range but won’t be available until 2025. The all-wheel drive model can be pre-ordered now and starts at $79,990 with 340 miles of range. If you love the look of this unique truck, we recommend putting your name on the waitlist now and reserving one as soon as possible because the delivery date may be months from now. The Cybertruck is not currently eligible for the federal tax credit, Massachusetts MOR-EV incentive, or Rhode Island DRIVE EV incentive.
New electric vehicles are always hitting the market and automakers are regularly unveiling new models to add to their lineup. The following EVs are some of the models we’re most excited for! These electric vehicles have all been confirmed by the manufacturers and are set to hit the market within the next year. Be sure to also watch our video highlighting future EVs!
Cadillac OPTIQ
This new entry-level SUV from Cadillac is based on the same platform and powertrain as the more affordable Chevrolet Equinox, but with higher-end finishes and a more luxurious interior. These two models will share the same 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack that can gain 80 miles of charge in 10 minutes. The OPTIQ will start at $54,000 with 300 miles of range. This model will have the same 33-inch 9k resolution display as the LYRIQ. We expect the OPTIQ to be eligible for the federal tax credit, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Cadillac plans to release this SUV towards the end of this year as a 2025 model.
Audi Q6 e-tron
Audi is expanding their electric vehicle line, e-tron, with a new mid-size SUV offering. In traditional Audi fashion, this premium EV will have an understated but high-quality interior and will boost an estimated 300-mile range with 20% to 80% charging time in 21 minutes. Audi plans to start production towards the end of this year and reports estimate the price will be $66,000. If you’re looking for an Audi but want something smaller, consider the Audi Q4 e-tron which is currently available for $55,200 or the larger Q8 e-tron available for $74,400.
Volvo EX30
We keep sharing this model on our list of upcoming vehicles because we’re so excited for its release! The EX30 will be an affordable and stylish electric vehicle option for those looking to buy a small SUV. The EX30 starts at $36,245, making it one of the most affordable EVs entering the market. The 64-kWh battery pack provides up to 275 miles of range for rear-wheel drive models. The EX30 is available for preorder and deliveries are expected during summer 2025, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for updates.
The North American Charging Standard partnership has recently experienced some hiccups caused by major layoffs at Tesla. (If you missed the news, Tesla laid off about 500 people, many of whom were on the team working on making the NACS partnership with other automakers and building out more NACS charging stations.) Volvo, GM, and Polestar were all scheduled to roll out adapters for current owners this Spring 2024, but recently Polestar shared that this timeline has been delayed until the end of Summer 2024. GM, also slated to roll out adapters in spring, has reiterated that they plan to stay on deadline. With that said, “spring 2024” officially ends in less than two weeks, so we’re unsure if GM will be able to keep to its original timeline, if you own a Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, or Hummer EV, be sure to check your vehicle app for an update. For all other owners of various automakers, expect delays in the roll out of these adapters.
Here are links to previous editions of the Car Corner, with information about other available vehicles:
The electric car market is always evolving. Our Car Corner quarterly blog is the Drive Green Team’s way of...
The electric car market is evolving rapidly, which offers a mix of excitement and frustration for both enthusiasts...
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