Electric Vehicle Make & Models
Electric vehicle technologies have rapidly improved in recent years, lowering vehicle cost and extending vehicle range.
Zero-Emission Vehicle Technology
Passenger vehicle options include all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric technologies, with an expanding selection of available light-duty models. Vehicle ranges (or the distance you can drive on a single charge) vary by model, type, and year, but most EVs have over 200 miles of range.
The first models of electric pickup trucks and passenger vans are now available. As technologies continue to advance, vehicle cost, selection, and range will continue to improve.
Light-duty vehicles include sedans, full-size and mini-vans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks, and motorcycles.
Battery Electric
Battery electric vehicles – commonly referred to as EVs – are powered by electricity stored in an onboard battery. EV battery technology has progressed in recent years, improving vehicle range (60 – 335+ miles per charge) and significantly reducing charge times and costs.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) use two sources of power. An electric battery powers the vehicle until its charge is depleted, at which point a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine provides acceleration in hybrid drive.
PHEVs average 10 – 40 miles on an electric drive and 170 – 600 miles on hybrid drive.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are powered by hydrogen that is extracted from natural gas or water. Operating a FCEV produces water vapor and air as the only emissions. FCEV adoption has occurred as a slower rate compared to EV and PHEV technologies but is expected to increase as the number of hydrogen fueling stations expand throughout the state.
Vehicle range for FCEVs averages 265 – 366 miles per tank. Learn more about FCEVs from the Alternative Fuels Data Center and Veloz Electric For All.
Have a large family?
As more and more electric versions of popular mini-vans and SUVs become available, there will be an EV available that can accommodate families of all sizes.
The vehicle
search tool allows you to filter by vehicle seat number.
See what EVs will fit your family’s needs.
Have accessibility needs?
Many new EVs, such as the Nissan e-NV200 or Toyota Sienna Hybrid, can be readily adapted for wheelchair accessibility. Others can also be adapted to incorporated hand-controls for accessible driving needs. Whatever your accessibility needs are, there is an EV for you.
Learn more about the pros and cons of different
vehicle types, and be sure to explore the vehicle
manufacturers website to fully understand vehicle adaptability.
Pre-Owned Electric Vehicles
If purchasing a new EV is not an option, a used one could be right for you. While you may miss out on a larger tax incentive of purchasing a new EV, pre-owned EVs are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $4,000. In addiiton, the overall lower purchase price of a used EV compared to a gas-powered vehicle can make this technology available to a wider audience. Although concerns about battery life are a common question with purchasing a used EV, most batteries are designed to last well over a decade.
Through the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program, SDG&E customers may also be eligible to receive up to $4,000 in rebates when purchasing or leasing a pre-owned EV. Learn more about what types of vehicles are eligible under this program.
Here are five tips and questions to ask to help you decide if buying a used EV is best for your needs.
When you are ready to start shopping, the PlugStar website offers the option to search for pre-owned EVs.
