How to Buy an Electric Vehicle
A practical, step-by-step walkthrough for choosing and buying the right EV for your life.
Quick Answer
Buying an EV follows five steps: confirm your home or workplace charging plan, set a realistic range requirement from your daily mileage, compare EPA range and efficiency, check the incentives you actually qualify for, then get out-the-door price quotes in writing and secure financing before you visit a dealer.
Part of the AutoNetwork Electric Vehicle Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check before buying an EV?
Verify where you will charge, the EPA range and efficiency (kWh per 100 miles), the battery warranty terms, the charging connector and network access, insurance quotes, and every state, utility and manufacturer incentive you qualify for.
Should I buy or lease an electric vehicle?
Leasing limits exposure to fast-moving technology and uncertain resale, and lease deals sometimes pass through incentives buyers cannot claim directly. Buying makes more sense if you keep vehicles long enough to bank the fuel and maintenance savings.
Do I need to install a charger before buying?
Not necessarily, but get an electrician's quote first. Level 2 installation commonly runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on panel capacity and distance from the panel to the parking spot.