In targeted EV-friendly markets like Massachusetts and California, owners are driving new BEVs for under $20K. About half the cost of the least expensive Tesla Model 3. Here's how it works.
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Battery electric vehicles are much more affordable than many might assume. New 2019 model year battery-electric vehicles are available in electric vehicle target states from coast to coast for under $20K including incentives and the federal tax deduction. These include highly-rated models like the Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and Hyundai Ioniq. All of these three models cost consumers about half of what the least expensive Tesla Model 3 offered in Mass. costs owners. We know because we visited Tesla's Massachusetts showroom in March and crunched the numbers with a Tesla sales associate.
Related Story: Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus vs. 2019 Kia Niro BEV – Surprising Similarities & Stark Contrasts
Drive Green Electric Vehicle Pricing
In East-Coast EV target states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the states have organized EV-friendly dealers. The dealers post the prices - along with the fine print - on the Drive Green website. Drive Green is part of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance. Its mission is to help people make the most of green energy and putting them into zero-emissions cars is one way they achieve the goal.
The Bolt is offered in two trims. LT and Premier. The final price after the Mass. state rebate, federal tax deduction, and the best local dealer discount is just $19,545. Seven Mass. Chevy dealers are offering heavy discounts on the Bolt in June. If you prefer the amenities offered by the Bolt Premier, the best price is $23,830. Both are an amazing value for the Bolt. Both trims have an all-EV range of 238 miles.
Is $20K a bit above your total budget? Not to worry, the Nissan Leaf S is available in Rhode Island for just $17,875 after incentives. The upscale SV is priced at $19,917 and the fully-loaded Leaf SL (just like the one we recently tested and loved) is priced at $25,330. Note that these are the Leafs with the standard range battery. They rated for 150 miles of all-EV range. Note also that recent college grads and Military members can deduct another $1,000 off this price.
Looking for a new design? Check out the Hyundai Ioniq. Drive Green has dealer pricing for the Ioniq EV starting at $19,997. That price includes free charging from for life by the solar array at Myrak Hyundai in Arlington (like all of its EVs do). There is no financing requirement, and the price even includes the destination fee.
California EV Prices
California has a substantial EV rebate program. The California site is a little less user-friendly, but for those who qualify, the savings are substantial. California is not alone. Many other states offer incentives to buyers of EVs.
See you in my next story where I am discussing mixed messages from Tesla on Autopilot and other Automakers regarding similar systems leads to confusion and please subscribe to Torque News Youru channel for daily Tesla and automotive news.
John Goreham tweets at @johngoreham. Please send him news tips and follow us at @TorqueNewsAuto
Image Notes: Pricing images courtesy of Drive Green. Please note that prices change over time. We suggest you call the dealers ahead for confirmation.
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Great information, thanks for
Great information, thanks for putting this together John. With GM's federal tax credit of $3,750 stepping down again at the end of September 2019, this summer could be the ideal time to pounce for anyone interested in a new BEV in this category.
John, are these prices for
John, are these prices for new cars? If yes, can someone order a 2019 Nissan Leaf or a Chevy Bolt from South Carolina and have it shipped from one of those states?
Yes, new cars. The
Yes, new cars. The incentives include state rebates, but your own state may have some similar deals. The deep dealer discounts on Bolt are amazing.
Thanks for putting all that
Thanks for putting all that info together John. Under $20K for thos impressive new cars sounds like a fantastic deal. Can you really purchase the car with those discounts in say MA and have them honor the discounted price for out of state residents? The link to the CA site doesn't seem to have a place that outlines the whole discount and rebate options. But it does link to a lot of EV resources and info. Still, a quick Autotrader search of say a new Chevy Bolt shows quite a few models for $24K-26K before rebates. As Steve mentioned, the $3,750 federal credit is still available for a few months for the Bolt, and there is a CVRP rebate of $2500 for BEVs and $1500 for PHEVs, but the rebates are currently wait listed except for low income applicants, and you have to choose if you want the rebate, or a HOV (commuter lane) sticker instead. Still, that puts the price close to $20K before taxes and fees for a Bolt, which is amazing for what you get.
I am not the best person to
I am not the best person to answer the question on how discounts transfer, but my impression is that the Chevy dealers' discounts apply to any customer. The state rebate is separate from those. It's a funny market. On the one hand, I hear shoppers constantly complaining that inventory is terrible and it is hard to find BEVs in stock. On the other hand, Chevy is offering massive discounts on Bolts and even Tesla is offering discounts now. I know because they offered me one. I think both are possible. Inventory in some areas is relatively high, and in other regions, almost non-existent. That HOV thing sounds horrible to me. Almost like you are paying for access. Very un-democratic IMHO.
Yeah, dealer discounts are
Yeah, dealer discounts are tricky, but if the discount is big enough it can compensate for the cost of shipping the car across the country. I bought my last Volt in Wisconsin in wintertime, and even though it cost me $1,200 to ship it here, it was about $8,000 less than a comparable model cost here at the time. And discounts vary greatly from dealer to dealer as well. The HOV access situation here is indeed problematic. The goals were originally to reduce traffic congestion and reduce smog. But they recently made all earlier HOV stickers invalid, including the white HOV stickers (BEVs), so I believe that their longer term goals are to eventually change all of the HOV lanes into pay lanes, purely to make money rather than to solve our smog/congestion problems.
I know this seems nutty, but
I know this seems nutty, but one of the Bolt deals is $12,700 off sticker. That would seem well worth the cost of delivering a vehicle. These deep Chevy Bolt discounts are now months old around here. I really wish I needed a car!