With the advent of widespread NACS adoption, longer-range vehicles, and more affordable models, EVs should capture a larger share of the automotive market than ever before. Discover how these improvements can bring about a sea change in EV adoption.
The NACS Rollout Makes It More Convenient to Charge Most EV Brands
Now that there’s a single charging standard that all EVs can use with an adapter, gone will be one of the objections auto buyers make when considering an EV purchase. Until the industry-wide adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS), non-Tesla EV drivers had to hunt all over town for a charging station whose chargers were compatible with their car.
On long road trips, as TechRadar’s Myriam Joire points out, that hunt could cause non-Tesla drivers considerable stress since they didn’t have access to Tesla’s extensive network of Superchargers. But now, since Tesla has provided most drivers with access to their Superchargers with a CCS1 to NACS adapter, the charging game has changed. With only Stellantis a holdout for its 2024 EV models, the NACS adapter’s availability leaves most other EV drivers with many more charging options for their cars.
The convenience of finally being able to drive up to a Supercharger station, pull out an adapter, and charge their EV should change many auto buyers’ minds. And, even better, most automakers’ 2025 models will sport NACS-compatible connectors, making charging even more convenient without needing an adapter.
Range Increases in 2024 EVs Make Travel a Breeze
Although most of the 2024 lineup still lacks the range of combustion engine-powered vehicles, many of them are getting close. And let’s face it – not many drivers can go 500-plus miles without at least a bathroom break, let alone a meal or two. Here are some of the 2024 EVs that can go the distance without a ton of refueling stops.
The 2024 Lucid Air Grand Touring
As Road and Track’s Brian Silvestro and Clifford Atiyeh point out, the 2024 Lucid Air Grand Touring’s $100K-plus sticker price might be a deal-breaker for some EV enthusiasts. However, if range is your top priority, and you have the money to spend, the 2024 Lucid Air Grand Touring can outlast many of the cars on the road, including gas-powered ones. With its 500-mile range, it’s the perfect choice for drivers who want to travel long distances without breaks.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST
Image via Wikimedia Commons
An impressive 440-mile range plus a 10-minute DC fast-charging time put this all-electric pickup at the head of its class. Rural pickup drivers who have to cover a lot of territory can rejoice that they can save hefty gas prices by going electric. That fact alone makes this truck a great pick for ranchers, farmers, and construction workers.
With a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, the new Silverado EV can pull a trailer with ease. Its quick acceleration (0 to 60 in under 4.5 seconds) allows it to enter busy freeways with ease – a definite advantage for urban drivers. Pricing starts at $96,395 for the Silverado RST First Edition.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE Long Range
With its 361-mile range and affordable $43,000 sticker price, Hyundai’s long-range Ioniq is the whole package. As Silvestro and Atiyeh put it, “clever engineering and genius aerodynamics” make longer range possible for drivers who can’t afford the other two EVs in this list. Sleek, futuristic styling makes this car a standout in the street as well.
More Affordability Moves EVs into More Auto Buyers’ Price Range
In years past, lower-income auto buyers might have wanted to save on fuel by buying an EV, but the sticker price was a no-go. Even with state and federal incentives, the price was simply too steep to afford, even with a loan.
But with the 2024 crop of EV offerings, it looks like automakers have heard the frustration of lower-income buyers and have expanded their EV ranges to include more economical models – some of which compare with gas-powered vehicles in price.
The Tesla Model 3 Highland
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Although European and Asian car buyers have enjoyed Tesla’s most economical model since 2017, 2024 marks the first year the Tesla Model 3 Highland will be available to North American buyers. At a base price of $39,000, this car is only $10,000 more expensive than the 2024 Honda Accord EX, as Joire notes. When you take into consideration the savings on fuel and EV buyer incentives that purchasing this car could give, this car could fall well within an average family’s budget.
With an estimated range of 300-370 miles, a premium interior, cooled seats, and a rear infotainment screen, this car is as convenient and comfortable as it is affordable.
The Volvo EX30
Veering away from its pricey cousins, the Volvo EX30’s base model comes with an affordable $36,000 sticker price. This crossover car features a sound bar, a center-mounted glove box (imagine not having to stretch to retrieve your registration and insurance information the next time a police officer pulls you over), and a sustainably sourced interior.
Inside its plush seats, comfort rules throughout its 265-275-mile range. Your passengers will enjoy the infotainment system, while you’ll enjoy the safety that its Level 2 advanced driver assistance system provides, as Joire observes.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
With room to spare for cargo and passengers alike, the base version of this subcompact Hyundai EV sells for only $34,010. However, as Motor Trend’s William Irvin Lewis advises, this model has a range of only 197 miles, making it a good choice for urban drivers with home charging facilities.
Image via Freepik
The good news is that buyers can level up to 260 miles when they buy a model with Hyundai’s Long Range battery pack. Even better, the car features vehicle-to-load capability, allowing it to charge other devices besides the car itself.
The 2024 Nissan Leaf
Image via Wikimedia Commons
At $29,135, the 2024 Leaf is the cheapest 2024 EV on the market today, Lewis’s research shows. Like the Kona, you can bump up its range from the base model’s 149 miles to 214 if you choose a model with a larger battery. Although it still uses the CHAdeMO charging format rather than the NACS, it remains an inexpensive option for those with home charging facilities. A comfortable ride awaits bargain hunters who don’t mind charging at home.
Discover More EV Advancements at an EV Charging Summit & Expo
These outstanding cars represent only a few of the exciting advancements that EVs have made over the past year. Learn more about coming technologies and how they will impact the EV charging industry at the next EV Charging Summit event. Register for your spot at the next event today!
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