This page last changed 2025.01.25 05:40 [4 times today, 5 times yesterday, and 19 total times]
Considerations for Purchase of All-Electric Vehicles (other than Tesla)
This information is based on Aria AI.
Note that I am specifically excluding any information about Tesla autos given the political situation with the company.
Electric Vehicles with Free Charging
Overview
Some electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers provide incentives such as free charging to enhance the ownership experience. Below are some notable non-Tesla electric vehicles that come with free charging options.
Notable Electric Vehicles Offering Free Charging
The following are not included above given their limited free-charging options.
Ford vehicles have access to the FordPass Charging Network.
Chevrolet Bolt EV has limited free charging options.
Nissan Leaf may have promotions.
Conclusion
These vehicles not only provide excellent range and performance but also offer free charging incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of ownership. Be sure to check with the manufacturer for the most current offers and conditions.
Electric Vehicle Road Trip Planning
Vehicles and Range
Here’s a quick overview of the estimated ranges for the electric vehicles you’re considering:
Volkswagen ID.4: Approximately 250 miles on a full charge.
Hyundai Ioniq 5: Up to 303 miles depending on the configuration.
Hyundai Kona Electric: Around 258 miles.
Kia EV6: Offers a range of about 310 miles.
Rivian R1T: Depending on the battery pack, it can range from 314 to 400 miles.
Lucid Air: Known for its impressive range, it can go up to 520 miles.
Charging Infrastructure
Electrify America has been expanding its network significantly, and it’s designed to support long-distance travel. Here are some key points regarding the availability of charging stations:
Electrify America Stations: They have a robust network of fast chargers located along major highways, making it feasible to travel across the country.
Route Planning: You can use various apps and tools to plan your route, ensuring you have access to charging stations along the way. This is especially important for longer trips like from Lexington, MA to either San Diego, CA or Orlando, FL.
Trip Feasibility
1. Lexington, MA to San Diego, CA: This trip is approximately 3,000 miles. Given the range of your selected vehicles, you would need to plan for charging stops every 200-300 miles depending on the vehicle. With Electrify America’s network, you should find enough stations to make this trip manageable.
2. Lexington, MA to Orlando, FL: This route is about 1,000 miles. The shorter distance means you can easily find charging stations along the way, and with the ranges of your chosen vehicles, you should have no trouble completing this journey.
Conclusion
In summary, Electrify America has a sufficient number of charging stations to support your travels from Lexington to either San Diego or Orlando. Just make sure to plan your stops based on the range of the vehicle you choose.
Nearest Dealerships to Lexington, Massachusetts
1. Volkswagen ID.4
Boston Volkswagen
Location: 43 N Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (857) 707-3233
Description: A well-rated dealership with a variety of Volkswagen models.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric
Mirak Hyundai
Location: 1165 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 745-4477
Description: A Hyundai dealer offering a range of new and used Hyundai vehicles.
3. Kia EV6
LEV KIA of Framingham
Location: 510 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA
Phone: (508) 834-3544
Description: Offers a variety of Kia models, including the EV6.
4. Rivian R1T
Rivian Experience Center
Location: New York, NY (closest location)
Description: Explore Rivian vehicles and schedule test drives.
5. Lucid Air
Pricing and Summary
From Aria AI on 1/25/2025
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the pricing ranges for the electric vehicles you're interested in:
Vehicle | Starting Price | Top Price | Range | Free Charging | Dealer |
Volkswagen ID.4 | $41,160 | $54,600 | 250mi | 3 yr | Minuteman VW, Bedford MA |
Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $43,975 | $56,875 | 303mi | 2 yr | Mirak Hyundai, Arlington MA |
Hyundai Kona Electric | $34,270 | $42,445 | 258mi | 2 yr | Mirak Hyundai, Arlington MA |
Kia EV6 | $43,995 | $62,995 | 310mi | 2 yr | Herb Chambers, Burlington MA |
Rivian R1T | $71,700 | $101,700 | 314-400mi | 5 yr | New York |
Lucid Air | $71,400 | $250,500 | 520m. | 3 yr | Boston |
Notes
Free charging is at Electrify America stations (except for Rivian which has their own stations)
Prices can fluctuate based on dealer pricing, location, and any ongoing promotions.
Repair Ratings for Selected Electric Vehicles
Given the distance from purchase/repair options, I'm only considering those with nearby dealerships, thus VW, Hyundai, and Kia.
1. Volkswagen ID.4
Reliability Rating: Consumer Reports predicts that the 2025 ID.4 will be less reliable than the average new car. This assessment is based on data from the 2021 and 2022 models.
Warranty Coverage: The ID.4's electric components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, with a limited warranty covering 4 years or 50,000 miles.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Reliability Rating: The 2025 Ioniq 5 is also expected to be less reliable than the average new car, based on data from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 models.
User Feedback: Many users report smooth performance and decent efficiency after 20,000 miles, but there have been some service issues noted, such as charging interruptions.
3. Hyundai Kona Electric
Reliability Rating: The Kona Electric has received mixed reviews, with some reports indicating it is much less reliable than the average new car. Consumer Reports has placed it in a lower reliability category based on data from the 2020 and 2021 models.
Warranty Coverage: Hyundai offers a three-year/36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan, which is a plus for owners.
4. Kia EV6
Reliability Rating: The Kia EV6 has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 3rd out of 32 for all car brands. However, Consumer Reports has noted a drop in its overall rating from 91 to 77, primarily due to a decline in reliability from “excellent” to “average.”
User Experience: Many users appreciate Kia's approach to repairs, noting that the vehicles are designed to be simple and easy to maintain.
Repair and Warranty Summary Table
Vehicle | Reliability Rating | Warranty Coverage |
Volkswagen ID.4 | Less reliable than average | 8 years/100,000 miles (electric) |
Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Less reliable than average | 3 years/36,000 miles (maintenance) |
Hyundai Kona Electric | Much less reliable than average | 3 years/36,000 miles (maintenance) |
Kia EV6 | 4.0 out of 5.0 (3rd out of 32 brands) | 3 years/36,000 miles (maintenance) |
For Comparison, Pricing for Toyota Hybrid Cars
2025 Toyota Prius Hybrid
Starting Price: Approximately $29,485
Price Range: Up to $36,500 depending on the trim and options.
Trim Examples:
LE: Around $28,350
XLE: Approximately $31,868
Nightshade Edition: Around $34,000
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Starting Price: From $33,375
Price Range: Up to $40,070 depending on the trim and options.
Trim Examples:
Prius Plug-In Hybrid SE: Starting at $33,375
Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE: Starting at $36,625
Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium: Starting at $40,070
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Starting Price: Approximately $28,700
Price Range: From $28,700 to $35,995 depending on the trim and options.
Trim Examples:
LE: Starting at $28,700
SE: Approximately $31,000
XLE: Around $33,700
XSE: Starting at about $34,900
Summary Table
Vehicle | Starting Price | Price Range |
Toyota Prius Hybrid | $29,485 | Up to $36,500 |
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | $33,375 | Up to $40,070 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid | $28,700 | Up to $35,995 |
Repair Ratings for These Three Toyota Cars
2025 Toyota Prius Hybrid
Average Annual Repair Cost: Approximately $408
Reliability Rating: Generally considered to have excellent ownership costs. While repairs may be more frequent than average, they are typically not severe.
Consumer Rating: Owners rated the 2025 Prius quality a 5 out of 5.
2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Average Annual Repair Cost: Approximately $388
Reliability Rating: Expected to have about average reliability compared to the average new car. Repairs are generally less severe and less frequent than average.
Consumer Rating: The 2025 Camry received an overall rating of 90, which is slightly below the previous model's rating.
Summary Table
Vehicle | Average Annual Repair Cost | Reliability Rating |
Toyota Prius Hybrid | $408 | Excellent ownership costs |
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | Average reliability | Good warranty coverage |
Toyota Camry Hybrid | $388 | Average reliability |
Electric Cars for Seniors
Extracted from 1/15/2025 AAA article
Type | Model | Approx price | Range | Notes |
EV | Nissan Leaf | $28,140 | 212 miles | |
EV | Hyundai Kona Electric SUV | $33,000 | 200-261 miles | Charges more slowly |
EV | Ford Mustng Mach-E | $40,000 | 320 miles | |
EV | Kia EV6 | $42,600 | 232 miles | Crossover SUV; lane-keeping guidance, forward collision warnings |
Hybrid | Honda Accord Hybrid Touring | $40,000 | 44 mpg | high deck in rear (limits visibility), sloping ceiling affects access in the rear |
Hybrid | Toyota Camry Hybrid | $29,000 | 52 mpg | |