Whether you want to reduce your environmental impact, save money on fuel or simply enjoy the latest in cabin technology and performance, buying an electric car is a smart move. However, it’s important to plan for the responsibilities that come with ownership and ensure you choose the right model for your needs. To help, we’ve broken shopping for an EV into manageable chunks that will leave you charged for your next purchase.

Buying an electric car has fewer moving parts than traditional cars, meaning they require less maintenance. Additionally, many models use regenerative braking to recapture energy and slow down the vehicle without using the brake pedal. This can make the driving experience much smoother and more relaxing.

Buy an Electric Car: Making the Transition to Sustainable Driving

When selecting an EV, check how far it can travel on a single charge. However, keep in mind that the battery will degrade over time and factors like extreme cold or hot weather can affect range. Also, be sure to ask the dealership if an EV includes free charging at a preferred network for a certain period or up to a specific amount of energy. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers this perk for two years.

Check out our EV rebates, incentives and tax credits page to see what state, local municipality, utility, and automaker programs you can take advantage of. These can slash the price of an EV and provide additional savings on charging costs. The federal EV incentive of up to $7,500 is available for new EVs that are assembled in the United States and meet strict rules regarding where they get their batteries and other components.