💵 EV Affordability

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EV COSTS

Featured

The Hidden Costs and Perks of EV Ownership

EVs come with additional expenditures that can drive up the overall cost of ownership. Check out the top 5 hidden costs and perks of EV ownership.

FEATURED

AFFORDABILITY

Federal Rebates Available for Used EVs

Used EVs are eligible for federal rebates – find out when and how to get one.

AFFORDABILITY

Understanding Electric Vehicle Purchase Options

Financing an EV is very similar to financing a gas-powered car. However, new considerations come into play when deciding between new or used, and buying or leasing.

AFFORDABILITY

How Much Do EVs Cost?

Electric vehicles can be expensive but between tax credits and low operating costs, they can be more financially reasonable than they seem.

AFFORDABILITY

The Cheapest Electric Vehicles of 2022

Buying an electric vehicle doesn't need to break the bank. The six cheapest EVs of 2022 all have starting prices below $35,000.

AFFORDABILITY

Federal Rebates Available for Used EVs

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AFFORDABILITY

Understanding Electric Vehicle Purchase Options

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EV AFFORDABILITY

Total cost of ownership estimates are based on data from Vincentric. Estimates are for new vehicles based on the latest available model year with 15,000 miles driven annually. It also assumes a 55%:45% city to highway driving ratio and U.S. average electricity rates. See vehicle comparison tool for more information and to adjust base assumptions.

Assumptions: Total cost of ownership estimates are based on new, 2022 model year vehicles with 15,000 miles driven annually. It also assumes a 55%:45% city to highway driving ratio and U.S. average electricity rates of $0.147 per kWh. See vehicle comparison tool for more information and to adjust base assumptions.

Real Member Experiences

How dId You find EV COSTS compare to the cost for GAS-POWERED VEHICLE?

TW

Todd w.

14 Year Member

2019

tesla model 3

I think there’s a notion out there that EVs are super expensive. There are some really expensive EVs, like the Tesla Model S and the Model X, but I found the Tesla Model 3 to be relatively economical to buy compared to a gas-powered car. There are also cheaper models than the Tesla Model 3 that might work better for some buyers.

MP

Martha P.

30 Year Member

2015

Chevy Volt

We got wonderful rebate on our plug-in hybrid. We saved $11,000 on the purchase price between federal, Massachusetts, and Chevy rebates. It ended up cost less than a regular gas car — we saved a third off the purchase price.

EC

Eileen C.

32 Year Member

2017

Nissan Leaf

I looked at the Teslas, but they weren’t something that I could afford. The leaf was a better fit for me.

HOW DOES YOUR EV OPERATING COSTS COMPARE TO GAS-VEHICLES?

JV

Jon V.

24 Year Member

2020

Chevy Bolt

The maintenance cost is cheaper on my EV. The only real thing I have to do is rotate the tires. There’s no oil changes or anything like that. I also save on fuel. Paying $0.185 / kWh, my average cost per mile is about $0.05. This is half as much as a gas-powered car that gets 30 miles per gallon at $3 per gallon of gas. Driving an average of 1,000 miles a month means the cost to power my EV is only $50.

MP

Martha P.

30 Year Member

2015

Chevy Volt

Our plug-in hybrid wasn’t just cheaper to buy, it also has lower maintenance costs. We take it in to be serviced once a year and to do our annual inspection. This is significantly cheaper than having to get a car serviced multiple times a year. We also save a lot of gas. We put solar panels in our backyard so it is like driving the car around town for free. I love having the electric option with the price of gas where it is today.

EC

Eileen C.

32 Year Member

2017

Nissan Leaf

I save a lot by driving my Leaf. I don’t need to get a tune up or an oil change like before. I also save when it comes to fuel. It’s not like $70 or $80 in gas. Depending on how much I drive, I spend about $12 to $15 a month charging. The one thing that also surprised me was my utility company gave me a $50 rebate when installing my home charger in my garage.

How was your EV buying experience

TW

Todd w.

14 Year Member

2019

tesla model 3

I originally planned on buying a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but I didn’t find a model that interested me. I ended up testing driving a Tesla and really enjoyed the experience. At the time we were buying at the end of the quarter in 2019, Tesla was offering some small incentives, and they had a fair amount of stock, which was unusual. I didn’t realize how unusual at the time, but now I learned you can’t just walk in and buy one.

Now three and a half years later, I have no regrets. It’s been a great vehicle, and it has kind of changed my thinking about transportation in general.

MP

Martha P.

30 Year Member

2015

Chevy Volt

We ended up buying the plug-in hybrid because we wanted the benefit of an electric vehicle, but also the range, certainty, and convenience that comes with a gas engine. We didn’t feel comfortable going all electric at the time, and we still think the infrastructure has to be built out more. When it came to buying the car, the only downside was the extra cost to put in the 30 amp charger at our house.

aaa guides and research

AAA Car Guide

EVs took all but one category with the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 earning the overall top score.

Used EV Buyer’s Guide

The AAA Used EV Buyer’s Guide outlines essential topics about EVs that consumers should consider before purchasing a used EV.

your driving cost

For over 70 years, AAA has release a Your Driving Costs study to help car buyers know how much it will cost to own and operate a vehicle beyond the purchase price.

1. EV BASICS

2. CHARGING + RANGE

3. AFFORDABILITY

4. PERFORMANCE

5. ENVIRONMENT

6. SAFETY

Quick Start

ALL RESOURCES

EV COST CALCULATOR

FIND A CHARGER

PLAN A TRIP

EMISSIONS CALCULATOR

Tool Preview

INCENTIVES CALCULATOR

Links

News + Insights

The latest on all things ev

💵 EV Affordability

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EV COSTS

FEATURED

Federal Rebates Available for Used EVs

Understanding Electric Vehicle Purchase Options

How Much Do EVs Cost?

The Cheapest Electric Vehicles of 2022

Federal Rebates Available for Used EVs

Understanding Electric Vehicle Purchase Options

Real Member Experiences

TW

Todd w.

14 Year Member

2019

tesla model 3

MP

Martha P.

30 Year Member

2015

Chevy Volt

EC

Eileen C.

32 Year Member

2017

Nissan Leaf

JV

Jon V.

24 Year Member

2020

Chevy Bolt

MP

Martha P.

30 Year Member

2015

Chevy Volt

EC

Eileen C.

32 Year Member

2017

Nissan Leaf

TW

Todd w.

14 Year Member

2019

tesla model 3

MP

Martha P.

30 Year Member

2015

Chevy Volt

aaa guides and research

AAA Car Guide

Used EV Buyer’s Guide

your driving cost

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