Electric vehicles are far from cheap, but many 2022 EVs come with free charging incentives that sweeten the deal. If you travel America’s interstates often, you’ll want to check out these free charging incentives. It adds up quickly!
Audi e-tron Free Charging: Electrify America
The new Audi Q4 e-tron includes 250kWh of complimentary charging at Electrify America. Audi e-tron GT buyers get three years of free charging at Electrify America. With an EPA-rated range of 241 miles with a 77 kilowatt-hour battery pack, you’ll be good to go for plenty of charging stops. The Q4 e-tron will take about 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. The much pricier e-tron GT can do the same in as little as 22 minutes.
BMX i4 and iX Free Charging: Electrify America
The 2022 BMW iX SUV and i4 electric sedan will come with two years of 30-minute complimentary charging sessions at Electrify America charging stations. Depending on how much you travel, that could save you a few thousand dollars in public charging costs!
Chevrolet Bolt: Free Level 2 Charger Installation
This is a better deal than it sounds. Level 2 home charging is not cheap to install, unless you’re lucky enough to live where incentives abound. Chevrolet will cover standard installation of a Level 2 charging outlet for customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV. Learn more here. Here’s our review of the 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUV.
The 2023 Fisker Ocean is looking like it will be a popular electric crossover once it arrives. Fisker has partnered with Electrify America, however it’s not been shared if there will be a complimentary charging incentive for Ocean drivers. Regardless, it’s an amazing vehicle (on paper for now). We’re big fans of the innovative Fisker Flexee lease program.
Ford F-150 Lightning Free Charging: Electrify America
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro
Yes, the truck we’ve all been waiting for does come with 250 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America. That’s equal to about two and a half fill-ups, or enough to drive about 700 to 800 miles in the F-150 Lightning. Once the incentive expires, expect a big charging session at Electrify America to cost about $25-35 in the F-150 Lightning. Learn more about the 2022 F-150 Lightning here.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Free Charging: Electrify America
Just like the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E drivers will get 250 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America. That’s enough to have about three or four free charging sessions on your first road trip. Here’s our review of the 2022 Mustang Mach-E, which by the way is one of the top-selling EVs in America (but still far behind Tesla).
Genesis GV60 Free Charging: Electrify America
The Genesis GV60 is the upscale sibling to my very own Hyundai IONIQ 5, but it comes with an even better charging incentive. Genesis GV60 buyers will get free 30-minute charging sessions for three years at Electrify America.
Hyundai IONIQ 5: Electrify America
Hyundai and Kia have raced towards the top of the EV sales charts since launching their twin electric crossovers (some would argue they’re oversized hatchbacks). The Hyundai IONIQ 5 comes with two years of unlimited 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America’s 800 stations nationwide. Electrify America is growing quickly, so it’s likely there are more than a few EA chargers along your most frequented routes.
I recently bought an all-wheel drive IONIQ 5 Limited, and I love it. Here’s how I bought one at MSRP (no markup!), plus all you ever wanted to know about the vehicle in this YAA review.
Kia EV6: Electrify America
Kia decided to do things differently when setting up their partnership with Electrify America. EV6 owners 1,000 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America stations. The EA incentive expires after three years. With the efficiency of the Kia EV6, 1,000 kWh of free charging is likely to be good for about 3,500 miles of driving. Full review of the Kia EV6
Lucid Air Free Charging: Electrify America
Lucid has EXTENDED their free charging partnership with Electrify America. Now, all Lucid customers who place their vehicle order before June 30, 2022 will get three years of free charging at Electrify America. Better get that wallet out! The Lucid Air starts at $77,400, however prices for top-level trims exceed $170,000. See the details here.
Nissan Leaf Free Charging: EVgo
America’s first mass-market electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, is still a solid bargain in 2022.
Drivers purchasing or leasing a new Nissan LEAF receive $250 EVgo charging credits, which could last you a while with the Leaf’s 150 to 226 mile range. Here are the details from EVgo.
Nissan Ariya Free Charging: EVgo
The first 10,000 customers who reserved a 2023 Nissan Ariya by January 31, 2022 get a $500 credit for EVgo’s growing network of charging stations. If you’re just now thinking about buying an Ariya, it’s a bit too late. Still, the Ariya is looking to be one of the nicest Nissan’s ever. Is it worth the price tag? Here’s what we think.
EVgo charging locations and roaming partners
Polestar 2 Free Charging: Electrify America
The Polestar 2 has several advantages over its competitors: it’s available now, starts under 50 grand, and features a no-haggle direct-to-consumer price. Another benefit of the Polestar 2 is a free charging incentive. The Polestar 2 comes with two years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. That could save drivers thousands of dollars, depending on how many road trips you take.
Rivian Free Charging: Rivian Adventure Network
Although it’s fantastic that Rivian is building its own charging network (like Tesla did), it’s a bit of a letdown for Rivian buyers who hoped to get a free charging incentive at Electrify America. The map below is where Rivian plans to have Adventure Network chargers, NOT where they currently are. All buyers of the Rivian R1T electric truck and R1S electric full-sized SUV will get one year of free charging on the Rivian Adventure Network.
Note: This map reflects Rivian’s plans for the future of the Adventure Network.
The upside? This charging network will be specializing in rural destinations like National Parks, National Forests and the like. That will be transformative for charging in America.
Subaru Solterra: No Charging Incentive Yet
Despite announcing a ‘partnership’ with America’s third-largest charging network EVgo, there’s no free charging incentive for now. As mentioned above, EVgo has 800 public fast-charging locations and 1,200 Level 2 charging stalls spanning 68 metropolitan areas and 35 states.
Although we’re a Subaru household (prior to taking ownership of our new IONIQ 5), the Solterra EV’s range, charging speed and price are a real bummer. Here’s our full review of the 2023 Subaru Solterra.
Tesla Free Charging? Not Anymore
Back in the early days of the Model S, Tesla did offer insanely good free charging incentives on its young Supercharger network. From 2012 to 2018, some Tesla vehicles had free charging for life. If you’re looking for free charging or generous federal EV incentives, you’ll have to shop elsewhere.
Toyota bZ4X Free Charging: EVgo
The all-new Toyota bZ4X electric crossover takes an hour to charge (at a ‘fast’ charger), has merely okay range, and isn’t all that affordable, but at least you get one year of free charging at EVgo’s network of chargers. EVgo has 800 public fast-charging locations and 1,200 Level 2 charging stalls in 35 states. Here’s why we aren’t fans of the bZ4X. Just buy a RAV4 Prime! That’s probably what Toyota wants you to do anyway.
Volkswagen ID.4 Free Charging: Electrify America
The ID.4 has one of the best free charging incentives available today. Although the 2021 model year’s offer of three years of UNLIMITED free charging has ended, the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 includes three years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. With the 2022 model’s quicker charging rate and improved charging curve, this should be enough for most sessions to be free. Rarely will ID.4 drivers need to stay plugged in for more than 30 minutes at a DC fast charger. Full review of the VW ID.4
Volvo Free Charging: Electrify America
Buyers of the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge get 250 kilowatt-hours of free charging at Electrify America. But that’s not all: Volvo is also enticing drivers with a year of free access to Electrify America’s Pass+ membership, which offers charging at a discounted rate. The Pass+ membership offers charging at about 30% lower rates than using the network as a guest, but membership normally costs $4 per month.
YAA’s Take
Making the switch to an electric vehicle would be a no-brainer if they weren’t so darn expensive. It’s hard to find a cheap EV, but a few are out there. For many, free charging incentives are compelling enough to close the deal. Personally, I’ve saved a few hundred dollars in charging costs over the first few months of EV ownership by using my IONIQ 5’s Electrify America incentive.
This begs the question: would you rather have faster charging times, or longer range? Does stopping for 15 minutes every 200 miles sound better than stopping for 45 minutes every 300? Let us know what you think the future of EV charging should look like. One thing is for sure, EVs are coming to roads near you.
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We hear it all the time: electric cars save you money. Electricity is cheaper than gas, EVs require less maintenance, and incentives abound. However, there’s no hiding the fact that electric vehicles are expensive, especially the models with the best range, performance and charge rates. To shed light on the reality of electric vehicle savings, we dug deep into the data. How long does it take to break even when buying an EV? We were surprised with what we found.
Five Examples of EVs Versus Combustion Competitors
The X4 is one of the most direct competitors to the 2022 Tesla Model Y, the best selling electric vehicle in America. Although Tesla models no longer qualify for the federal EV tax credit, the cost of the BMW X4 and high fuel consumption make this an interesting comparison.
Pickup trucks get the worst fuel economy. It’s just a matter of physics; the shape of a truck is not aerodynamic, and they’re often heavy. The F-150 Lightning weighs 35% more than the gas-powered F-150. So you would think that the time to break even would be shorter when buying an electric truck over the combustion equivalent.
This side-by-side comparison highlights the importance of price parity for EVs. When EVs are similarly priced to ICE vehicles, the cost of ownership savings are crystal clear. But what about when the electric version costs over $25,000 more out the door? Have a look for yourself.
Toyota sells nearly half a million RAV4s every year. Will things change now that Toyota has launched its first fully-electric vehicle? The all-new bZ4X lacks the range and charging speed to compete with the best in 2022’s electric segment, but how does it stack up to the popular RAV4 hybrid? How long would it take to break even when paying a premium for the electric bZ4X?
Subaru’s first EV is built on the same electric platform as the new Toyota bZ4X. Subaru is known for being Earth-friendly, but is the new Solterra EV friendly to your wallet? With range and charging figures more akin to 2015’s standards than today’s best EVs, the Subaru Solterra is off-road capable, but a tough sell for those who truly venture off the beaten path.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 won big at the 2022 World Car Awards, but is it a winner for your wallet? It all depends on how much you drive, and how long you plan to keep the vehicle. The Hyundai Santa Fe just received a total makeover, and its price remains much lower than the IONIQ 5’s. Still, EVs are super efficient and electricity is cheap. Just how long would it take to break even when buying an IONIQ 5 EV instead of the more affordable Santa Fe crossover?
Disclaimer: I own a Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited AWD, and it’s awesome.
Model
MSRP
Price Difference
Incentives
Fuel Economy
Range
Time to Refuel
Cost to Refuel ($5.00/gal or $0.14 per kWh)
Annual Fuel Cost (15,000 miles)
Average Annual Maintenance Cost
Time to Break Even
Hyundai Santa Fe SEL
$27,875
--
26 MPG
489 miles
5 min
$94.00
$2,883
$228
Hyundai IONIQ 5 SEL RWD
$45,900
+$18,005
Fed, state and local
3.4 mi/kWh (114 MPGe)
303 miles
20 to 30 min
$10.15
$502
$77
7 years (4.2 yrs with tax credit)
Electric Vehicle Savings: Other Factors to Consider
In many states and localities, thousands of dollars of additional incentives are available. Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and California are just some of the states with very generous EV incentives. State and local incentives can reduce the time to break even considerably. For example, in Delaware, buyers of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 will break even versus the Santa Fe in just 3.5 years with the federal EV tax credit and state rebates factored in.
Conversely, for car buyers who can’t take advantage of the federal EV tax credit or any state incentives, it will take many more years to reap the full savings of switching to an electric vehicle. In the case of the new Ford F-150 Lightning, it could take up to 8 years to break even without any incentives, assuming 15,000 miles per year of driving.
Check this out >>> The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center’s DSIRE database is the BEST one-stop resource for all EV incentives. Plus, you’ll see what solar power incentives are available in your area too.
Miles Driven
The difference between driving 10,000 miles per year and 20,000 miles per year is massive when it comes to realizing the savings of driving an EV. The average American driver travels about 14,000 miles per year in their vehicle. Simply put, long-distance commuters, frequent travelers and fleet operators will see the greatest cost savings of going electric.
With the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, a driver who travels 15,000 miles per year and can take advantage of the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit should expect to break even versus a combustion F-150 in 7 years. However, if they drive 25,000 miles per year, the break even period narrows to just 4 years. After that, they will be saving roughly $4,000 every year in fuel and maintenance costs. Clearly, EVs make more sense as a long-term purchase.
Maintenance
The maintenance figures included in this cost comparison is sourced from We Predict, a Michigan-based data analysis company. They dug deep into automotive maintenance data and found that during the first three years of vehicle ownership, the average annual maintenance for an electric vehicle is just $77. And based on personal experience, that’s likely for new tires (EVs are MUCH heavier).
During the same period, combustion vehicles average $228 in annual maintenance, with most of the costs in the first few years going towards oil changes and the like.
We may be underestimating the maintenance savings associated with going electric when comparing luxury brands. For example, BMW is notorious for costly maintenance. Opting for a Tesla Model Y over a BMW will likely result in even greater maintenance savings, and therefore a reduced break-even period.
Gas Prices!
As of early June 2022, the average gas price in the United States is $4.87 per gallon. In California, it’s $6.34. Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and Illinois all have gas prices much higher than the national average. In these states, EV drivers will see even greater fuel savings.
Let’s take a closer look at an example of someone purchasing a Hyundai IONIQ 5 in California. We’ll assume that the consumer qualifies for the full $7,500 EV tax credit and the $2,500 state rebate for a zero-emissions vehicle. They drive 15,000 miles per year. At gas prices of $6.34 per gallon, the break even point for the IONIQ 5 versus the Hyundai Santa Fe arrives in just 2.5 years, versus 4 years for the rest of the nation. That figure includes the 59% higher residential electricity rates in California.
YAA’s Take
What can we learn from this EV cost of ownership comparison? The specifics of your situation matter.
What combustion vehicle are you considering in addition to an EV?
These are the most important questions to ask when deciding whether or not it makes sense to buy an EV in 2022. Have questions? Let us know in the comments, or better yet join the YAA family at joinyaa.com/community. You can also reach me at justin@joinyaa.com. We’d love to hear from you.
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When Toyota unveiled the Prius hybrid in August of 2000, green tech and sustainability advocates jumped for joy, while the rest of the world pondered the reliability and durability of a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain. Toyota proved to the world that it was on to something, and has since gone on to sell more than 15 million hybrid vehicles globally. Over 22 years later, Toyota has launched its first-ever fully-electric vehicle, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X. Has the bZ4X electric crossover been worth the wait? Well, it depends on your driving habits and budget. Here’s what we know.
bZ4X Pricing and Availability
For those who were anticipating an affordable EV from Toyota, I have some bad news. The 2023 bZ4X starts nearly $17,000 above the entry-level RAV4, and $12,000 over the RAV4 XLE Hybrid. The bZ4X is offered in two trims: XLE and Limited. The front-wheel drive XLE starts at $43,215 with destination. Adding dual-motor all-wheel drive to either trim will tack on $2,080. The Toyota bZ4X Limited with all-wheel drive comes out to $49,995. Of course, these MSRPs are before any dealer markups.
bZ4X Incentives
Although the bZ4X is Toyota’s first fully-electric mass-market vehicle, America’s best-selling brand sold enough Prius and RAV4 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to approach the sales cap enshrined in the existing federal EV tax credit. In 2022, the federal EV tax credit is worth up to $7,500, depending on your tax liability. Tesla and General Motors electric vehicles no longer qualify for this incentive after the two automakers exceeded their 200,000 sale limit, and completed the phase-out period.
Analysts (and even Toyota itself) estimate that the bZ4X will remain eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit through 2022. Soon after, they expect to hit the 200,000 sale limit, and the one-year phase out period will ensue until the credit disappears entirely.
State incentives in the form of rebates, tax credits and tax exemptions promote EV adoption in a number of states around the country. Find out if your state offers generous incentives here.
Free charging?
Toyota will offer bZ4X owners and lessees one year of free fast charging at EVgo stations.
EVgo is America’s third-largest public charging network behind Tesla and Electrify America. Over 800 DC fast chargers are located around the U.S., with most located on the coasts, Texas and Great Lakes region.
The bZ4X’s Range and Charging Are Already Outdated
Before you get too excited about free charging at EVgo, let’s talk charging capabilities. Electric vehicle enthusiasts like myself are puzzled by the outdated charging speeds of the 2023 bZ4X. The front-wheel drive bZ4X is capable of charging at up to 150 kilowatt speeds, which isn’t bad (if the charging curve can sustain that). However, the more powerful and likely more popular all-wheel drive bZ4X is only capable of charging at 100 kilowatts. Why the difference? Battery supply shortages forced Toyota to source the batteries for these two powertrain variants from two different suppliers. And with these charging speeds, it almost seems like Toyota was scraping the bottom of the global battery barrel.
The bZ4X’s charge times are wild, and not in a good way. A recent charging test by Kyle Conner of Out of Spec Reviews found that it took 58 minutes (an hour!!!!!) for the AWD bZ4X to charge from 10% to 80%. That’s NOT normal for an EV in 2022. For comparison, my very own Hyundai IONIQ 5 accomplishes the same feat in 20 minutes, and Tesla’s can do that in 15 minutes. Over 80% of EV charging is done at home overnight, but if you’re a frequent traveler, be very wary of the bZ4X’s charging faults.
Range
The 2023 bZ4X’s range is merely okay. It would not be NEARLY as big of an issue if it could charge faster. The front-wheel drive bZ4X is rated for 242 miles with the Limited trim, and 252 miles on the XLE. Upgrade to dual-motor all-wheel drive, and range suffers. The AWD Toyota bZ4X is EPA-rated for 222 miles on the Limited, and 228 miles with lower trims.
Can Performance and Features Redeem Toyota’s First EV?
The bZ4X comes standard with a panoramic glass roof (impressive…), adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The Limited’s additional features include a motion-activated power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, an upgraded camera, 20-inch rims and faux-leather upholstery. Does that make it worth the hours you’ll spend charging? I’m not so sure.
Toyota’s first fully-electric vehicle is sharp looking and loaded with safety features, but range, charging capabilities and price point leave a lot to be desired. I know more than a few Toyota fans who are disappointed by the bZ4X’s specs. Will this EV turn out to be a winner for Toyota? Time will tell.
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Imagine using your vehicle as a backup generator for your home, or even to help a stranded motorist reach their destination. Electric vehicles claim just 5% of new vehicle market share in America, however record gas prices are spurring renewed interest in the EV lifestyle. One of the most sought-after features of electric vehicles is bidirectional charging. Also known as vehicle-to-load, or V2L, tomorrow’s cars literally have the power to do so much more than drive us around. Here’s everything you need to know about bidirectional charging in electric vehicles.
V2G, V2L & V2H: The Types of Bidirectional Charging Capability
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
During typical use, electric cars draw electricity from the grid, and then consume that energy to power their electric motors. What if you could reverse the flow of electricity back into the grid? Better yet, imagine making money doing it. The future of mobility is about to get weird. Cars are already becoming rolling computers, so it only makes sense that they are capable of revolutionizing the world beyond the driver’s seat.
What is bidirectional charging?
Simply put, bidirectional charging is the ability for electrical current to flow in both directions: from the grid to the vehicle (to charge the battery pack), and also from the car to the grid, another car, or household appliances.
How does bidirectional charging work?
When an electric vehicle is charged, alternating current (AC) from the grid is converted to direct current (DC) using the car’s built-in converter. To send electricity out of the battery pack and back into the grid or into another electronic device, electricity must first convert back to AC. This is done using an inverter. Vehicles that are manufactured with an inverter are already equipped with the hardware needed for bidirectional charging.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Vehicle to grid (V2G) capability enables an electric car to return electricity to the grid. V2G can help supply energy at times of peak grid demand. In most of the world, electricity demand peaks during the afternoon and early evening. Peak demand causes demand charges, which are higher rates for usage.
Vehicle to grid capability offers a way around demand charges, to the benefit of consumers and grid operators alike. The vehicle’s owner avoids demand charges or even sells electricity to the grid, and the grid gains a new source of electricity when it’s needed the most.
Although V2G is still in its infancy, the technology opens up the possibility of future revenue streams for everyday EV drivers and even automakers. Imagine if your car could make you money while it’s parked in the garage. Rental and ride-hailing fleets could double the revenue from their autonomous vehicles by serving as power suppliers to the grid. It’s a game changing option that is coming to cars in the near future.
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L)
V2L allows an electric vehicle’s battery pack to power appliances such as power tools, a coffee machine, cooking equipment, laptops, or even a party. More importantly, vehicle-to-load capability serves as the ideal emergency power source during times of need, such as following a natural disaster or power outage. Some cars, such as the 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5, can output 3.6 kilowatts via V2L functionality. That is a LOT of power, surely enough to power an entire campsite or family-sized outdoor event.
Vehicle-to-Home (V2H)
Naturally, one of the first uses of bidirectional charging that comes to mind is powering one’s home during a power outage. Indeed, vehicle-to-home (V2H) power supply is under development, and it’s even featured in a few of today’s production EVs. It’s important to note that accessories and professional installation of associated hardware are required before any EV can power an entire home. Still, it looks like V2H capability is a real option for EV shoppers to consider in 2022. More on today’s V2H EVs below.
Does Bidirectional Charging Harm the Battery?
The short answer is that it depends on the battery chemistry. One of the latest battery chemistry types to be employed in EVs is lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, or LFP. LFP batteries quickly rose to prominence due to their remarkable ability to withstand the stresses of repeated charging cycles without severe battery degradation.
Other battery chemistries lose range over time as the battery is charged and discharged (referred to as a charging cycle). Even charging to 100% too often can reduce the life of some battery types. LFP batteries are the perfect companion for bidirectional charging, especially vehicle-to-grid. They handle frequent charging and discharging like a champ.
Other battery types in development are engineered with bidirectional charging capability in mind. Ford’s partnership with SK Innovation resulted in a more environmentally-friendly battery chemistry suitable for the frequent charge cycles of bidirectional charging.
For the time being, no Tesla models are capable of bidirectional charging. It’s possible (even likely) that all 2022 Tesla models have the necessary hardware for V2G or V2L, or V2H. However, Tesla has alternative motives for delaying bidirectional charging rollout for as long as possible. If Tesla vehicles became V2H-capable, they would render the $10,500 Tesla Powerwall home battery obsolete!
A few curious Tesla owners have inquired about modifying their cars to become capable of bidirectional charging. The response from Tesla was a warning that doing so would void the vehicle’s battery warranty. So for now, don’t expect Tesla EVs to power your home or appliances.
Ford Intelligent Backup Power: F-150 Lightning
Ford’s F-150 Lightning is widely marketed as the answer to power grid anxieties. Ford Intelligent Backup Power is an available accessory to the popular F-150 Lightning electric truck. With 200,000 reservations in the books, the Lightning is already sold out through 2023.
The F-150 Lightning contains unique battery chemistry that strengthens charging cycle durability while also requiring fewer rare earth metals. Ford’s partner, SK Innovation, has developed a new battery cathode that uses 90% nickel, and 5% each of manganese and cobalt. The new battery chemistry also reduces the harmful environmental and ethical impacts of cobalt mining.
Ford’s engineers designed the new electric F-150 with V2H in mind. In the electric truck segment that’s rapidly gaining steam, automakers are looking for bold ways to make their truck a compelling buy.
“F-150 Lightning with available Ford Intelligent Backup Power can provide power and security during an electrical outage – the first electric truck in the U.S. to offer this capability; in the future, new features will offer additional ways to manage energy use and potentially save on energy costs.”
Ford touts high power output and energy storage capabilities
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum
“The F-150 Lightning extended-range battery system can store 131 kilowatt-hours of energy and deliver up to 9.6 kilowatts of power in a cleaner, quieter, more efficient way versus gasoline-powered generators, and with greater capacity than many wall battery units. F-150 Lightning can also offer lower-cost energy storage in a product customers already own – their truck.”
How long should an electric truck be able to power an entire home? 12 hours? Three days? Ford says that depending on power demand, some homes could be powered for seven days with the F-150 Lightning’s extended range battery.
“With Ford Intelligent Backup Power and the Home Integration System, F-150 Lightning automatically kicks in to power your home if the grid goes down. Once power is restored, the system automatically reverts back to utility power. Based on an average U.S. home at 30 kilowatt-hours of use per day, F-150 Lightning with extended-range battery provides full home power for up to three days, or as long as 10 days when used in conjunction with solar power or rationing.”
Bidirectional charging is yet another way that the electrification of the auto industry is transforming vehicle ownership. In five years (or less), trucks will be judged for how many days they can power your home, and crossovers will be expected to power household appliances with ease.
The fact that vehicle-to-home capability relies on the professional installation of accessories sold separately seems to fly under the radar for many. While vehicle-to-load may become a standard feature that we all take for granted in a decade’s time, retrofitting a home for V2H power will remain a lofty expense for the foreseeable future.
Dozens of EVs are rolling off of supply shortage-stricken production lines in 2022. A select few are bidirectional-capable, however innovative automakers like Ford, GM and Hyundai are setting the bar high for the next generation of electric vehicles.
You can find information on every electric vehicle on sale in 2022, and how long you’ll wait for delivery, here.
What do you think about bidirectional charging? Do you plan to power your home with your car in the future? Let us know what you think about automaker’s bold plans for EVs in the comments below, or share your thoughts with the YAA Community at joinyaa.com.
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As anyone who’s fallen head over heels for one of the many 2022 electric vehicles and clicked that ‘Order’ button can attest, just because you can order an EV in 2022 doesn’t mean you can drive it home this year. This was a problem I faced myself, but I finally broke the code and got a Hyundai IONIQ 5 at MSRP (here’s how).
Soon after I began my online car search, it became clear that if I wanted a brand-new vehicle, my options were limited by availability. To make the most of the situation, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned about the availability and estimated delivery times for EVs on the market today. Here’s what we know as we kick off the new year.
Note: These are fully-electric models that can either be ordered now or purchased at a dealership today. Many more have been announced but are not yet officially available.
Make
Model
Class
Starting MSRP
Estimated Delivery/Lot Availability*
Audi
e-tron
crossover SUV
$65,900
Available Now
Audi
Q4 e-tron
crossover SUV
$43,900
Available Now
Audi
RS e-tron GT
sedan
$103,445
Available Now
BMW
iX
SUV
$88,050
Mid-2022
BMW
i4
sedan
$55,400
Mid-2022
Cadillac
Lyriq
SUV
$62,990
Late-2022
Chevrolet
Bolt
hatchback
$31,000
Available Now
Chevrolet
Bolt EUV
crossover SUV
$33,500
Available Now
Fisker
Ocean
crossover SUV
$37,499
2023
Ford
Mustang Mach-E
crossover SUV
$43,895
Available Now
Ford
F-150 Lightning
truck
$39,974
2023-2024
GMC
Hummer EV
truck
$99,995
Mid-to-late 2022
Hyundai
IONIQ
crossover SUV
$33,245
Available Now (Discontinued)
Hyundai
IONIQ 5
crossover SUV
$43,650
Available Now
Hyundai
Kona
crossover SUV
$34,000
Available Now
Jaguar
I-Pace
crossover SUV
$69,900
Available Now
Kia
Niro
crossover SUV
$39,990
Available Now
Kia
EV6
crossover SUV
$42,115
Available Now
Lucid
Air
sedan
$77,400
Mid-2022
Mazda
MX-30
crossover SUV
$33,470
2022 - CA Only
Mercedes
EQS
sedan
$102,310
Available Now
Mercedes
EQB
SUV
~$55,000
Late 2022
Nissan
Leaf
hatchback
$27,400
Available Now
Nissan
Ariya
crossover SUV
$47,125
Late 2022
Polestar
Polestar 2
sedan
$45,900
Available Now
Porsche
Taycan
sedan
$82,700
Available Now
Rivian
R1T
truck
$67,500
2023
Rivian
R1S
SUV
$70,000
2023
Subaru
Solterra
crossover SUV
$46,220
Mid-to-late 2022
Tesla
Model S
sedan
$94,990
Late 2022 - 2023
Tesla
Model 3
sedan
$46,990
Mid-to-late 2022
Tesla
Model X
SUV
$104,990
2023
Tesla
Model Y
crossover SUV
$62,990
Late 2022 - 2023
Toyota
bZ4X
crossover SUV
$43,215
Mid-to-late 2022
Volkswagen
ID.4
crossover SUV
$40,760
Mid-2022
Volvo
XC40 Recharge
crossover SUV
$55,300
Available Now
*For a vehicle ordered in May 2022, unless there's existing dealership supply.
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What Does It All Mean? Supply and Demand Are Out of Whack
A few things might stand out to you on this list. Not a lot of options are available if you need a new vehicle right now. VW Group’s new EVs are available at many dealerships, although there are reports of major dealer markups. It’s quite easy to find EVs of the previous generation on dealer lots. Think Kia eNiro, Hyundai Kona EV, Nissan Leaf and the like.
The vast majority of 2022 electric vehicles are crossovers. No surprise there given the sales trends over the past decade. Honda doesn’t have a single EV arriving in the North American market until the 2024 Prologue electric SUV. That is surprising considering the popularity and good reputation of the brand. What will it take for automakers to catch up to demand? An end to the chip shortage would be a great step in the right direction. There’s also the supply versus demand factor. Ford, Rivian, Tesla and VW are all swamped with orders well into 2022, and even into 2023. All except Tesla are EV newcomers who are facing the same production ramp-up struggles that Tesla just barely survived a few years ago. We’ll update this page regularly as more information becomes available, so save it to your bookmarks!
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below, or shoot an email to justin@joinyaa.com.
