Rather than various e-car pros and cons, I thought I’d see what Consumer Reports, a fact-based organization, says. I’m delighted to learn they’ve tested a huge number of e-cars, so I can share reliably-researched information. I’ll use two report sources then add comments.
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Consumer Reports … created a fact sheet with the latest analysis of how owning an electric vehicle (EV) will save the typical driver $6,000 to $12,000 over the life of the vehicle, compared to owning a comparable gas-powered vehicle. With new federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, consumers can save as much as $1,100 in the first year of ownership.
Next … a different view concerning e-cars …
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Exclusive: Trump transition team to
roll back Biden EV, emissions policies
By Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Kirkham
Reuters
December 16, 2024
- Trump plans to cut EV support, impose tariffs on battery materials
- Proposals aim to boost U.S. production, redirect funds to national defense
- Transition team suggests rolling back emissions standards, blocking California’s stricter rules
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s transition team is recommending sweeping changes to cut off support for electric vehicles and charging stations and to strengthen measures blocking cars, components and battery materials from China, according to a document seen by Reuters.
The recommendations, which have not been previously reported, come as the U.S. electric-vehicle transition stalls and China’s heavily subsidized EV industry continues to surge, in part because of its superior battery supply chain. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to ease regulations on fossil-fuel cars and roll back what he called President Joe Biden’s EV mandate.
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Having a bias toward sustainability …. and knowing (from Google) that (1) car emissions alone make a 10% contribution to global warming, and (2) that Trump was heavily funded by the fossil fuel industry, and (3) that some e-cars are more desirable than others, I thought I’d search for specifics. So …
For only $39, I became a Consumer Reports member, which lets me see all of their e-car reports. (It also lets me see a huge range of research data about a vast array of home appliances, TVs, and other commodities.) Here are a few e-car selections from their “Electric-cars That Can Go More Than 250 miles on a Charge” report …
Hyundai Ioniq 6 2025: $37,750 – $54,500; range of 342 miles/charge.
Tesla Model S 2024: $61,425 – 73-350; over 400 miles/charge.
Mercedes-Benz EOS 2024: $73,500 – $107,800; 362 miles/charge.
Ford F150 Lightning (pick-up truck): No price reported; 320 miles/charge.
Ford MACH-E: (Mustang styling) $36,495 – $52,495; 320 miles/charge.
Kia EV6: no price reported; 310 miles/charge.
Niro EV: cited as “budget-friendly” no price reported; 253 miles/charge.
Toyota bZ24X: $37,070 – $42,880; 253 miles/charge.
My 11-year-old Mercedes SMART car has a range of 70 miles; it’s taken care of 100% of our normal daily needs, so thought I’d see what models might be cheaper if the recharge range could be less. So, for 2025 models …
KIA Niro: $39,600 – $44,600; 113 miles/charge.
Tesla Model 3: $42,490 – $47,490; 130 miles/charge.
Hyundai Kona: $32,875 – $41,050; 116 miles/charge.
VW ID4: $39,735 – $57,055; 102 miles/charge.
Honda Prologue: $47,400 – $57,900; 95 miles/charge.
With its lower price and 342-mile range, I went to the Hyundai web site. It also said “DC ultra-fast chargers, can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.” As stopping to refill a car’s gas tank can take that long, the “range advantage” pushed by gas car manufacturers is gone.
Previously … I found that a 5kWh array of solar panels added to an average home, plus buying a $30,000 e-car, would end up costing only $66/month for your new car and all the power for both your car and your home. In this survey, using Consumer Reports testing, I came close to finding a huge number of e-car choices, with several near $30,000 (… or $22,500 with the IRA rebate.)
(It’s fact-checking, although fact-checking seems to be less popular these days.)
The e-car transition is already happening in many European countries and is gradually happening in the U.S. – though more slowly, as we’re an oil-aligned country. While the transition is good for the environment, and can help stem the number of disastrous climatic events, the IRA program, (while it exists,) also slashes your cost of driving … knocking $7,500 off the purchase price.
Consumer Reports shows no downside to e-car driving. I really enjoy mine! Test drive one yourself.
Keep the money you earn instead of sending it off to oil companies!
