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Every EV And Its Range For Late 2021


Every EV and its range for late 2021


Every EV and its range for late 2021

If you've been thinking about putting an electric car or truck in your driveway, there's likely a defining factor: driving range. That is, how far an EV will go on a single charge before needing to be plugged in to get more juice. It's a crucial part of ensuring a battery-powered car or truck fits your lifestyle and won't be a burden. Let's face it, EVs aren't for everyone, at least not yet.

If you're looking for that information, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up every EV on sale today and listed its EPA-estimated range. You'll find all that info below, so get to scrolling.

Editors' note: This list only includes vehicles that have been certified by the EPA. More EVs might be in the news, but they will not be added to this compilation until they're about to go on sale in the US and have official range ratings.

Audi

On the surface, Audi's first purpose-built battery electric road car hasn't changed much since its 2019 debut, with only minor tweaks and a few revisions to its options. Yet a combination of software and hardware updates have helped the electric SUV squeeze a few extra miles out of its 95 kilowatt-hour battery, climbing to an EPA estimated maximum range of 222 miles. Somewhat sweetening the pot, the E-Tron's starting price (including destination) has also dropped to $66,995 for the base Premium model.

Chris Paukert/Roadshow

The E-Tron has been joined by a new Sportback variant. The underpinnings, powertrain and tech are all the same as the aforementioned electric SUV, but the E-Tron Sportback features a slightly lower roofline and a windswept and silhouette -- coupe-like, if you squint. You'd think that the more aerodynamic profile would net more range, but the Sportback's sportier tuning only returns about 218 miles per charge. It's pricier, too, starting at $70,195.

Read our 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback preview.

Audi

In 2021, Audi introduced its E-Tron GT, a high-performance grand-touring four-door sedan as a racier companion to its E-Tron SUVs. Think of the model as a battery-powered A7 with front and rear trunks, and you won't be far off. With a starting MSRP of $103,445 (including a $1,045 delivery fee), the base 2022 E-Tron GT Quattro carries 238 miles of range. The RS E-Tron GT, which starts at $143,445 delivered, offers up to 637 horsepower and 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Range for the more-powerful RS unsurprisingly dips slightly, to 232 miles

BMW

BMW's i3 has always been a little weird looking and expensive at $45,445, but it does offer a few things nothing else in the class can match. The biggest of these is its carbon-fiber chassis, which increases stiffness, reduces weight and looks great on a spec sheet. The i3 is definitely meant to be a city car with a relatively short range -- up to 153miles. But it's easy to park and a nice place to spend time, so we can't fault it too much.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

The Bolt EV was the mainstream car industry's first real, practical answer to Tesla's electric juggernauts. It's an affordable little hatchback that doesn't stick out like the i3 and today, it packs plenty of all-electric range at 259 miles -- a nice increase over its initial 236-mile range. With a starting price of just $36,620, the Bolt has positioned itself as the perfect alternative to Tesla's impossible-to-spec $35,000 Model 3.

Read our 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV review.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

247 miles

The Bolt EUV tucks the Bolt EV's battery pack and electric car platform beneath a slightly taller and longer body. The increased weight and aerodynamic profile cost the electric utility vehicle a bit of range, dropping to a still-decent 247 miles, according to the EPA. Other reasons you may want to consider the larger EUV include its increased capacity for cargo and second-row passengers and to get your hands on -- or rather, hands off -- GM's Super Cruise advanced driver assistance tech. The bigger Bolt strikes this summer starting at $38,495.

Read our 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV review.

Nick Miotke/Roadshow

Ford's Mach-E may be a Mustang in name alone, but it's an EV through and through. This electric SUV is offered in a variety of configurations, from the single-motor "Select" spec starting at $43,995 to the Premium AWD Extended range model at $54,400. At its best, the rear-driven California Route 1 Edition cruises for up to 305 miles with a full charge.

Later this year, high-performance Mach-E GT and GT Performance models will join the lineup, boasting up to 634 pound-feet of torque and a 0-60 sprint in just 3.5 seconds. We'll update when the EPA gets its hands on them. Until then, here's what Ford is offering:

  • Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD: 211 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended: 270 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD: 230 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended: 300 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1: 305 miles

Read our 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E preview.

Hyundai

The Kona Electric is one of the most exciting new EVs you can buy right now. It has excellent range, weird-but-fun styling, tons of standard equipment and all the other killer Hyundai stuff (including a great warranty). The Kona EV is a lot quicker and more fun to drive than you'd expect, while its range of 258 miles puts it among the upper echelon of modern battery-electrics. With a price tag starting at $36,990, you're getting a lot for your money.

Read our 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric review.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Jaguar was one of the last companies we'd have expected to release a purely electric SUV. But it did, and the decision ended up working in its favor. The I-Pace looks like nothing else, drives like a Jag and offers a real alternative to the Tesla Model X. The I-Pace is a practical beast: Having been designed from the ground up to be an EV, it has plenty of space for people and things and a substantial range of 234 miles.

Read our 2020 Jaguar I-Pace review.

Kandi

No, we're not joking. This newcomer has the distinction of being the least expensive new electric car you can buy today: The K27 costs a no-haggle, no-nonsense $19,999. And that's before the $7,500 federal tax credit, which brings the cost down to $12,499. That's cheap for any new car, but that price also only gets you a ridiculously short range of just 59 miles per charge and an… unorthodox aesthetic.

Kia

Kia's Niro EV is Kia's best effort yet at making a fully battery-electric SUV that offers good range for not a lot of money (239 miles, $38,500 to start), and it surprised us when we drove it for the first time. It's more fun than its looks or specs would suggest, and it's packed with a deep roster of standard features that make modern Kias so hard to beat for value.

Read more about the 2021 Kia Niro.

Andrew Krok/Roadshow

The Lucid Air is a top dog in the EV realm with up to 520 miles of range. The EPA confirmed Lucid's internal estimates earlier this year, though that figure is only for a special Dream Edition. Otherwise, the ranges do come in a tad lower for the first cars the startup plans to build. These figures also drop slightly when choosing larger wheel options.

  • Lucid Air Dream Edition Range: 520 miles
  • Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance: 471 miles
  • Lucid Air Grand Touring: 516 miles
Mini

You may not remember this, but Mini was actually an early pioneer of modern EVs. Back in 2009, the automaker underwent a large-scale test of electric Mini E hatchbacks, building hundreds and leasing them to hand-picked consumers and utility companies. It gave up on the tech after a couple years, and it's taken until now for the brand to offer a BEV for sale. 

The 2021 Mini Cooper SE Electric promises to be one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Priced from $29,900 plus delivery, when you factor in the full federal tax credit and potential state and local incentives, you could own one for well under $20,000. There's a catch, of course: limited range. The Mini Electric is only estimated at 110 miles of range, about as short an e-leash as you'll find today. It's not a compliance car sold only in California-emissions markets -- Mini says the SE is a 50-state model.

Read our 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric review.

Jon Wong/Roadshow

Ah yes, the granddaddy of all affordable electric cars. There is a reason that the Leaf is the world's bestselling EV by a factor of a zillion. And if you've spent time in one recently, you'll know it's easy to see why. The Leaf is a simple, well-built and affordable electric car that offers reasonable range -- 149 miles -- but still feels like the future.

The Leaf Plus is Nissan's answer to cars like the Tesla Model 3, the Kona Electric and the Bolt. It has the Leaf line's best range yet at 226 miles, and while it's not as cheap as the standard Leaf, it offers more for your money. More what? Power and torque mostly. Some of its tech is a little old, but that means it's well-proven at this point.

Polestar

The second plug-in model from the fledgling Polestar brand is also its first to run completely on battery power. The Polestar 2 fastback -- a sort of tall, liftback sedan chimera -- hits the ground running with impressive interior appointments and gorgeous Scandinavian style. The Polestar 2 boasts a range of 233 miles per charge. We think that's more than enough range for daily driving and then some, but the 2's starting price of $61,200 puts it in the unenviable position of being cross-shopped with the much longer-ranging variants of the Tesla Model S and Y.

Read our 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 review.

Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Porsche's first battery-electric car arrives to take on the Tesla Model S. It initially went on sale in Turbo and Turbo S forms, packing 670 and 750 horsepower, respectively. The Turbo starts at $150,900 while the more powerful S comes in at $185,000. This year sees the addition of a new rear-drive Taycan base model, starting at $81,250. The EPA-estimated ranges have also been revised, improving across the board for 4S and Turbo models. That lines up somewhat with our independent testing, where we found the Turbo's previous EPA numbers to be a bit conservative.

  • Porsche Taycan Performance: 200 miles
  • Porsche Taycan Performance Battery Plus: 225 miles
  • Porsche Taycan 4S Performance: 199 miles
  • Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus: 227 miles
  • Porsche Taycan Turbo: 212 miles
  • Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 201 miles
RJ Scaringe/Twitter

The Rivian R1T's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. The startup began production of the electric pickup truck in September and the EPA dished out a final range rating: 314 miles. That's with the truck's "Large Pack." Keep in mind, Rivian also has a "Max Pack" forthcoming, which should push the range even higher, but we don't have final estimates for that just yet. 

Tesla

This is the EV to which all other midpriced electric vehicles have to answer. The Model 3 is just that good. It's comfortable, fun to drive, has tons of cargo space and one of the best ranges in its class. For 2021, Tesla simplified the Model 3 lineup, dropping from six configurations to three optimized specs:

  • Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 263 miles
  • Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 353 miles
  • Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD: 315 miles
Tesla

The Model S has been around in more or less the same form since 2012. It's gotten several updates to its hardware, styling and performance. The biggest update came with a refreshed interior for 2021. It's also $96,190 before adding things like different wheels, paint or Tesla's dubiously named Full Self-Driving feature, which feels like a lot for one of the oldest vehicles here.

The Long Range model remains the range champ at Tesla with a 405-mile estimate, while the performance-oriented Model S Plaid will do 396 miles.

  • Tesla Model S Long Range: 405 miles
  • Tesla Model S Plaid: 396 miles
Tesla

The Tesla Model X is like the Model S in that it's fast and expensive, but it's also bigger, roomier and has the craziest doors to be found on a production car this side of the Lamborghini Aventador. Thanks to a similar update to the Model S, the X also comes in just a Long Range and Plaid form. Here's how the Model X line shakes out:

  • Tesla Model X Long Range: 332 miles
  • Tesla Model X Plaid: 313 miles
Tesla

Think of the Tesla Model Y as the larger, frumpier version of the Model 3: Smaller than the Model X, the Y still offers seating for seven (somehow) and the same powerful electric powertrain. According to the EPA, it'll do an impressive 326 miles on a full charge in Long Range Spec. The Performance model offers better performance (of course), but at the cost of a few miles range versus last year. And, like the rest of Tesla's lineup, the Standard Range model is no more.

  • Tesla Model Y Long Range: 326 miles
  • Tesla Model Y Performance: 303 miles

Read our 2021 Tesla Model Y review.

Tim Stevens/Roadshow

The XC40 Recharge's $20,000 premium over the combustion-powered XC40 is a hard pill to swallow, but if you look past the sticker, the price is somewhat justified. For starters, the $54,985 EV's 486 pound-feet of performance are a class beyond the standard T5 powertrain's 258 torques, as are its all-new Android Automotive cabin tech and luxurious interior appointments. We just wish its range was equally impressive: The 208 miles it offers is a touch low for this class and price range.

Read our 2021 Volvo XC40 preview.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Taking the place of the humble E-Golf is Volkswagen's first dedicated electric vehicle in the US, the 2021 VW ID 4. The first deliveries of its electric SUV should begin later this year. The performance is fine and the styling is unobtrusive, but its promise of utility, capacity and up to 250 miles of range make the ID 4 a fairly practical choice for families looking to go electric. The Tesla Model Y offers more range and better driving dynamics, but starting at $41,190 before incentives, the VW is more budget-friendly.

Read our 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 review.

Every EV available for 2021

Make, model and trim Best range MSRP
Audi E-Tron 222 $66,995
Audi E-Tron Sportback 218 $70,195
BMW i3 153 $45,445
Chevrolet Bolt EV 259 $36,620
Chevrolet Bolt EUV 247 $38,495
Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 305 $51,500
Hyundai Ioniq Electric 170 $34,250
Hyundai Kona Electric 258 $38,565
Jaguar I-Pace 234 $71,000
Kandi K27 59 $19,999
Lucid Air 520 $169,000
Kia Niro Electric 239 $40,265
Mini Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door 110 $30,750
Nissan Leaf S Plus 226 $39,220
Polestar 2 233 $61,200
Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus 227 $110,720
Rivian R1T 314 $73,000
Tesla Model 3 Long Range 353 $53,690
Tesla Model S Long Range 412 $100,690
Tesla Model X Long Range 371 $111,690
Tesla Model Y Long Range 326 $62,190
Volvo XC40 AWD BEV 208 $55,085
Volkswagen ID 4 250 $41,190

A few truly charming electric cars have disappeared from the list this year and will be missed, but overall the list is longer than ever. That means more choices running a wider gamut of ranges, prices and body styles. That's good news for electric car enthusiasts, early adopters and regular drivers looking for flexible and reliable transportation. And there will be more to come even by the end of 2021 -- from the newly announced Ford F-150 Lightning to budget-friendly offerings like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and more. We'll be updating the list as more models are certified by the EPA, so check back often.

For a list of just our favorite electric vehicles, check out our best electric cars for 2021 roundup. There's also our list of the best kids electric cars for 2021, because it's never too early to cultivate a love of cars -- electric or otherwise.


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Best E-Bike Deals: 7 Great Sales To Check Out Right Now


Best E-Bike Deals: 7 Great Sales to Check Out Right Now


Best E-Bike Deals: 7 Great Sales to Check Out Right Now

Electric bikes are getting more and more popular, especially for city-dwelling commuters who want to reduce their carbon footprints without breaking out into a full sweat on their way to work. E-bikes are also a rising trend for students who want to get from one side of the campus to the next without being late for class. Whatever your reason is for looking for an e-bike, we've rounded up some of the best deals out there. These e-bikes range in price and capabilities, so you're sure to find something within your budget that will meet your riding needs. 

Amazon

Equipped with a powerful 750-watt high-speed motor to propel it with speeds up to 28 miles an hour, this bike can cover 25 to 40 miles on a full charge. It has a removable battery that can be charged at home or in the office. It also comes with a one-year warranty for the battery, charger, motor and controller. It retails for $1,799 but you can save 11% and an additional $100 at checkout

Amazon

The TotGuard e-bike comes with large 27.5-inch tires, which provide a comfortable ride, a waterproof 48-volt lithium battery and an ABS LCD display that shows your battery and speed The bike can top speeds of 21.6 miles per hour. It was originally $900, but this e-bike is now 13% off.

Amazon

This e-bike can go up to 30 miles per hour, and can travel 70 to 84 miles on a single charge of its 48-volt battery. The removable battery lasts about 1,000 charges. Equipped with hydraulic brakes and front air suspension to keep you safe and comfortable, this bike can adapt to various terrains. It's priced at $1,600 but you can save $200 with a coupon applied at checkout.

Amazon

Go up to 40 miles per charge with this 350-watt e-bike. With just a 15-minute charge, you can cruise for seven miles. On a full charge with a top speed of 20 miles per hour, you can travel between 26 and 40 miles. It has 26-inch wheels and a 21-speed gear system. The full price is $850, but this bike is on sale for $760. Save an extra $150 with a coupon applied at checkout.

Amazon

Wallke F3 500W 7-speed e-bike

Save $500

This e-bike has fat tires that are perfect for cruising on the beach. You can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and travel up to 35 miles on a single charge while on Eco Mode. It comes with a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support. The full price is $1,599, but you can save $500 at checkout with an on-site coupon.

Charge bikes

Charge bikes is offering $300 off all of their e-bikes right now, so it's a perfect time to grab one. This Thru Bike features a 50-mile range on a single charge and a top speed of 20 miles per hour. The Comfort 2 is designed for an easy, comfortable ride and is made by the makers of Schwinn bikes. The bike is entirely foldable, making it ideal for compact living spaces.


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Tesla Model Y Is The Most American-Made Car, New Survey Finds


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Tesla Model Y Is the Most American-Made Car, New Survey Finds


Tesla Model Y Is the Most American-Made Car, New Survey Finds

Tesla's cars received a new accolade Tuesday as shopping marketplace Cars.com said the electric vehicle maker topped its index of American-made cars for the second year in a row. Tesla's Model Y compact SUV made the top of the list, followed by its Model 3 compact sedan in the second spot.

Third on Cars.com's list is the Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid SUV, followed by the Honda Passport midsized SUV. Tesla's Model X SUV and Model S sedan rounded out the top six cars. The American Made Index is based on data including where the cars are assembled, parts sourcing through the American Automobile Labeling Act and factory employment.

While the point of Cars.com's list is to highlight American manufacturing, Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman noted that EVs and hybrid vehicles made up most of the top spots at a time of economic turmoil, spurred by the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine.

"That Tesla -- an American-made all-electric make -- appears frequently and high up on the list may indicate a coming alignment of market forces that could really explode once we break through microchip supply chain issues, especially if gas prices remain historically high," she said in a statement.

Read more: Why Your iPhone May Never Be Made in the USA

The survey results mark another way that Elon Musk's Tesla, which has its headquarters in Austin, Texas, stands out in the car industry. The company's cars have largely been credited with helping popularize EVs around the globe, pushing other car makers to offer more hybrid-electric and fully electric vehicles in response. Cars.com said shoppers are pushing for even more, noting that car shoppers considering an electric or hybrid vehicle jumped 21% from last year.

The survey also found increasing interest among Americans to buy cars that are made in the USA. Cars.com reported that 40% of shoppers said that buying a vehicle built in America is "more important to them," a figure that jumped 22% from last year. "Preference for American-made vehicles is the real story here," the publication said.


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Living EV-Only With Our Long-Term Mini Cooper SE And A LiveWire One


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Living EV-Only With Our Long-Term Mini Cooper SE and a LiveWire One


Living EV-Only With Our Long-Term Mini Cooper SE and a LiveWire One

Electric vehicles are more common than ever, as are public charging stations that offer Level 2 or DC fast-charging. But there are a lot of folks who are still hesitant to take the plunge on EV living. I'm one of them, so I decided to spend a month exclusively driving EVs -- specifically, our long-term Mini Cooper SE and a LiveWire One motorcycle.

We've talked about our long-term Mini on CNET before. And while I generally agree that it's fun to drive, nicely equipped and easily the best car in Mini's current lineup, I'm not so sold on its EPA-estimated 114 miles of range, which, frankly, I've yet to see.

Still, as a city car, the Mini SE excels. Its small size and nimble handling make it a breeze to whip around in Los Angeles traffic, and it's easy to park in tight city spaces. The ride is on the stiff side, but it's not overly bouncy or jarring, and the interior is nicely appointed, with enough room in the back for a large grocery trip.

My issue with the Mini comes down to charging speed. Plugged into a DC fast-charger, the Mini maxes out at 50 kilowatts, and because the battery isn't that big (32.6 kilowatt-hours), this means going from 15% to 80% usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If this car had more range, that wouldn't be too big of an issue, but it's less convenient when you have to charge this frequently. I understand that a lot of EV buyers will likely install a Level 2 home-charging setup, but not everyone can. Looking at you, people who rent or live in apartment or condo complexes.

As basic transportation for me and my wife, the Mini is good but not ideal. With a few modifications to my home setup, I could make it work easier, but in a world where I need to rely solely on public charging, a longer-range EV is a must. More range means more money, though, and the Mini SE's $30,750 starting price (including destination) is definitely attractive.

Like the Mini, the LiveWire One -- the new name for the Harley-Davidson LiveWire I reviewed in 2020 -- doesn't offer a staggering amount of range, but that's less of a concern on something as specialized as a motorcycle. The LiveWire will do over 100 miles in the city when ridden in a spirited fashion. It's very cool; when you get above 60 mph, the sound of the wind rush overtakes the sound of the electric motor and tires, so it almost feels like you're flying. It's addictive.

Mini Cooper SE and Livewire One parked facing each other in front of a cliff

A very good pair.

Steven Ewing/CNET

The LiveWire is capable of DC fast-charging, but as with the Mini, the experience is a mixed bag. I frequently have to disconnect and reconnect the cable in order to get the 15.5-kWh battery to charge. The LiveWire can't accept Level 2 charging, which is a major bummer, so my lack of a home charger is a moot point in this case. Instead, I have to plug into a 110-volt household outlet, and the LiveWire takes about 8 hours to charge this way.

The LiveWire is a lovely bike, but at about $22,000, it's way too expensive -- and that's a drop from when the original Harley-Davidson-branded version launched. The bike's issues are less the fault of LiveWire specifically and more the realities of electric motorcycles in 2022. They just haven't received the same kind of development investment as cars, but at least products like the LiveWire feel like real motorcycles, rather than just jumped-up e-bikes.

So what did going electric for a month show me? First, I haven't lost any enthusiasm for EVs -- cars and motorcycles alike. This month of all-electric motoring showed me just how close these cars and bikes are to not needing any justification for people like me to buy them. Get a home charger and you're fine. Now I'll just wait for the public infrastructure to catch up.


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EV Tax Credits: Manchin A No On Build Back Better Bill, Putting $12,500 Incentive In Doubt


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EV tax credits: Manchin a no on Build Back Better bill, putting $12,500 incentive in doubt


EV tax credits: Manchin a no on Build Back Better bill, putting $12,500 incentive in doubt

President' Biden's Build Back Better bill is on life support following comments from West Virginia's Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. During an interview on Sunday, the senator said he plans to vote no on the spending plan, which includes a $12,500 refundable tax credit for electric vehicle purchases. With Manchin's decision seemingly final, it's unclear where the bill goes from here. Biden needs every Democrat in the Senate to vote for the measure with the party's slim majority. Read on for the latest.

Is the EV tax credit amount increasing?

As of Dec. 19, it's a solid maybe. The Build Back Better bill includes a $12,500 EV tax credit, up from the current $7,500 available to qualifying cars and buyers. Its inclusion comes as the bill sheds multiple other elements to compromise with various Democrats, though the bill could wind up dead in the coming weeks after Manchin's comments.

Here's how the proposed changes shake out, and keep in mind, they may change yet. The base amount remains $4,000, as it is today, with another $3,500 available if the EV's battery pack includes at least 40 kilowatt-hours of capacity. In the case of plug-in hybrids, the gas tank cannot exceed 2.5 gallons. This is for cars placed in service before 2027. Now comes the $5,000 boost. EVs and consumers will be able to qualify for another $4,500 in the tax credit if an automaker makes the EV in the US with a union workforce. Another $500 comes into play for automakers using a US-made battery, for a maximum of $12,500 available. Today, the only car that would qualify for anywhere near the full proposed credit is the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. This provision would, notably, exclude Tesla and even the Ford Mustang Mach-E, since it's assembled in Mexico.

In other changes made last week in the House, Democrats increased the price cap for qualifying EVs. The new language allows for vans, trucks and SUVs with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of up to $80,000 to qualify for the $12,500 credit. Previously, the initial framework set a limit of $64,000 for vans, $69,000 for SUVs and $74,000 for pickup trucks. 

The Democrats also reduced income eligibility to claim the full credit. Single filers with adjusted gross annual incomes of $250,000 or more, or joint filers with AGIs of $500,000, will not be eligible for the full credit. The dollar figures are down sharply from $400,000 for single filers and $800,000 for joint filers.

The US House passed the bill back on Nov. 19 with these EV tax credit changes, but it's sat in the Senate since then. Despite discussions and president working with moderate Democrats such as Manchin, it appears it's not enough. Biden needs every single Democrat to vote yes on the bill, which would allow Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie in the senate. There is no Republican support for the bill. The president remains keen to incentivize EV purchases as part of a $555 billion investment into actions to combat climate change, also part of the bill.

Democrats hoped to hold a vote before Christmas on Build Back Better in the senate, but that's really in limbo now.

Is the EV tax credit refundable or nonrefundable?

Currently, the tax credit is a nonrefundable credit when you file your taxes. That means that the government does not cut you a check for $7,500 -- all it does right now is reduce your federal tax bill. 

However, the latest version of the Build Back Better bill with new House language turns the EV tax credit into a refundable one. With this change, it wouldn't matter if an EV buyer owes the feds or not -- anyone who buys an EV will be potentially eligible for at least $4,000 in their pocket. The change would move the tax credit much closer to a point-of-sale incentive, and with the right qualifying EV, buyers could receive a max of $12,500 back from the government for buying a battery-powered car.

What if I owe money at tax time when claiming the credit?

Until we know if the Build Back Better bill passes both chambers, this is the best-case scenario, actually. The EV tax credit is currently a nonrefundable credit, so the government does not cut you a check for the balance. Let's say you owed the federal government $10,000 in taxes when filing your 2021 taxes. Let's also say you purchased a Ford Mustang Mach-E in 2021, which is eligible for the full $7,500 credit amount. Your federal tax balance would then fall to $2,500 owed. If you owe under $7,500, the EV tax credit would wipe that away entirely to a $0 balance, even if it takes care of the tax bill and then some. Presently, purchasing an EV can wipe away tax bills, but it does not put cash directly into your pocket. Keep that in mind if you're someone who typically receives a federal refund when filing taxes.

However, with the latest changes, the credit would become a refundable credit. So, using our Mustang Mach-E example, let's say you owed $1,000 in federal taxes and purchased the electric SUV. It's still eligible for the $7,500. The updated EV tax credit would provide you $6,500 back in your pocket at tax time.

Why is my Tesla not eligible for the tax credit?

Tesla is by far the largest EV maker in the US today. However, those who purchase an EV from the automaker will not be eligible to claim the car on their taxes. That's because the current law for the credits phases them out after a particular automaker sells over 200,000 qualifying vehicles. In Tesla's case, it sold its last qualifying vehicle back in 2019, leaving no additional tax credits to take advantage of. The same goes for General Motors. A Chevy, GMC, Buick or Cadillac EV is not eligible for the EV tax credit as of today. The automakers continue to lobby for new legislation to make credits available to them once again.

Changes to the EV tax credits would again open the door to Tesla's eligibility, and to GM's. The changes would also keep these credits open for 10 years, with eligibility for any EV in the first five years. During the last five years, the credits would only apply to US-made EVs. In other words, Tesla and Tesla buyers would benefit greatly from the Build Back Better bill.

What is the EV tax credit?

Internal Revenue Code Section 30D provides a tax credit to any person who purchased a qualifying EV during the year. It includes passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. The credit first came to life with the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, and amendments came with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The latter really gave us the tax credits as we know them today.

As it stands, the credit provides up to $7,500 in a tax credit when you claim an EV purchase on taxes filed for the year you acquired the vehicle. So, if you bought an EV this year, in 2021, you would claim the purchase when filing your 2021 taxes next year.

How do I get the full $7,500 tax credit today?

The Internal Revenue Service's Form 8936 is how you calculate how much money back you'll receive, which you'll need to fill out and file with your taxes. Every vehicle with a plug earns a minimum of $2,500 from the EV tax credit -- that includes a plug-in hybrid, not just a totally battery-electric vehicle. The vehicle must include at least 5 kilowatt-hours worth of power from its onboard battery. However, the government adds money to the credit for each additional kWh worth of energy packed into a battery. For every extra kWh, the tax credit increases by $417. This is where the dollar figures can shift around since it depends on the vehicle, not your finances.

For example, a Kia Niro plug-in hybrid is eligible for $4,543 from the tax credit, due to its battery size. PHEVs often have smaller batteries than EVs, since they share powertrain efforts with an internal-combustion engine. But, the Kia Niro EV is eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit because of its larger battery size. The government caps the credit at $7,500 maximum. Even for EVs with giant batteries, they aren't candidates for more money. In most cases, pure EVs are the target cars for the total cash back from the tax credit.

The qualifications will change with the Build Back Better bill, but we'll need to wait to see what the final changes are.

Do EVs have federal subsidies?

Biden's proposed American Jobs Plan included $100 billion in subsidies for EV buyers. However, on June 24, the president agreed to a bipartisan effort that does not include these subsidies. Subsidies then made their way into early language of what became Biden's Build Back Better bill, but they are not included any longer.

Are used electric cars eligible for the tax credit?

Like leasing an EV, buying a used electric car also does not allow you to claim the traditional EV tax credit in any way. But, the Build Back Better bill would change this. Right now, the bill includes a $2,000 credit for used EVs at least two years old that cost under $25,000. There's an extra $2,000 available if the EV includes at least a 40 kilowatt-hour battery for a total of $4,000 available for qualifying EVs.

Can I lease an EV and claim the tax credit?

There is no tax credit if you decide to lease a new electric vehicle. Instead, the tax credit actually goes back to the automaker or lender financing the leased vehicle. To earn the tax credit benefit yourself, you need to purchase an EV -- not lease one.

What are the state EV credits and incentives?

Many states and even local governments looking to speed up EV adoption rates offer their own incentives. California is a leader in incentivizing EV purchases with a direct consumer rebate up to $4,500, for example, through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. There is currently a waitlist for applications, however. Colorado, Washington and New England states also offer some generous state incentives that you can combine with the federal EV tax credit. Even your local utility company may subsidize an EV purchase.


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Genesis, Hyundai Dominate J.D. Power 2022 Tech Experience Study


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Genesis, Hyundai Dominate J.D. Power 2022 Tech Experience Study


Genesis, Hyundai Dominate J.D. Power 2022 Tech Experience Study

J.D. Power has released its annual U.S. Tech Experience Index for 2022, ranking the most innovative automakers and models on the market and calling out the features owners love and love to hate. And after taking the top spots of the 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study, Korean sister brands Genesis, Hyundai and Kia find themselves at the top of the chart as the innovative brands in their respective segments.

A companion piece to J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study, the Tech Experience Index is based on the responses of 84,165 owners of new 2022 model year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The survey seeks to find what technologies owners find the most desirable and which ones frustrate them the most. Along the way, the automakers themselves are ranked by a calculated Innovation Index to determine which ones are most successfully introducing the best new tech. 

J.D. Power's analysts calls new vehicle technology a "double-edged sword," stating that tech is one of the leading reasons for purchasing a new car and that automakers must continue to innovate or risk losing their competitive edge. However, inelegant implementation of tech or a high occurrence of problems could cause users to abandon a technology or even a brand outright. These are tricky waters and not everyone's doing a great job navigating them.

Biometric tech, like fingerprint scanners and facial recognition, can be used to log into infotainment, but users seem to prefer phone-based authentication.

Continental

The biggest loser

Fingerprint readers were found to be the most problematic technology probed with 54.3 problems found per 100 vehicles surveyed as part of the study. That makes it the lowest-performing tech in the study's history with the lowest overall satisfaction score, dethroning the previous record-holder: gesture controls.

Biometric fingerprint authentication is most commonly used for login on infotainment suites like Mercedes-Benz's User Experience that support multiple users or, more rarely, to lock or unlock a vehicle. Considering how well fingerprint readers have been implemented in smartphones, tablets and personal computers, the surveyed users' low ranking of the tech is surprising. It's possible they were displeased with the execution of the tech in cars or, perhaps, just find too complicated in contrast to other authentication technologies, such as phone-based digital key tech — which was the third-highest ranked technology surveyed.

Award-winning technologies

No surprise, the technologies that gave users the least trouble were the most simple in concept and execution. The Cadillac Escalade and Subaru Ascent each took home Advanced Technology Convenience Awards in the premium and mass-market categories, respectively, for camera rear-view mirror technology that allows users to flip a switch to change the optical mirror at the top of the windshield to a camera view via a screen hidden within the glass. Cadillac was recognized last year for the same tech.

Accolades for "emerging automation" or driver aid technology went to the premium Lexus IS for its front cross traffic warning system and the mass-market Mitsubishi Outlander for its implementation of reverse automatic emergency braking. Again, not the most cutting edge features — both have been around for years now — but trouble-free implementations of proven tech that left surveyed customers satisfied.

Cadillac and Subaru won awards for their desirable and reliable rear-view mirror camera tech.

Antuan Goodwin/CNET

J.D. Power also awarded the Mini Cooper (presumably the fully-electric model) an energy and sustainability award for its one-pedal driving mode. This EV feature promotes maximum range-extending regenerative braking when lifting the accelerator pedal, so much so that the car can be brought to a stop often without touching the friction brakes. Elsewhere in the BMW Group, the BMW X3 received recognition for its phone-based digital key tech.

Korean brands lead innovation

Crunching the numbers, J.D. Power assigns each automaker an Innovation Index score scaled from 0-1,000, higher being better. American electric vehicle company Tesla would have been the outright winner with an unofficial score of 681 points. However, because Tesla blocks JPD's access to owner information in certain states, the automaker finds itself ineligible for awards. Swedish premium EV brand Polestar also finds itself ineligible with an unofficial score of 608 points.

That leaves room for the Korean luxury upstart Genesis to slide in and once again take the crown for the highest officially ranked premium and overall brand with an Innovation index of 643. The G70 and GV70 are best-in-classes vehicles packed with user-friendly cabin and driver aid technologies; no wonder the brand finds itself the survey's king of this hill. The next highest ranked premium brands are Cadillac (584), known for its Super Cruise hands-free highway assist tech, and Mercedes-Benz (539) which launched the high-tech, electric EQS this year.

Korean brands continue to dominate among the mass-market brands with Hyundai leading the pack with 534 points — not too far behind Benz — followed by its sister brand Kia at 495 points. These brands share many key technologies with Genesis, hence the similarly high score. Third-place is a three-way tie (482) between Buick, GMC and Subaru.

For context, the industry average sits at a caluculated Innovation Index of 486 points. And because I know you're curious, the lowest ranked brands are Porsche (439), Honda and Chrysler (tied at 429) with Mazda being the least innovative brand of 2022 with its 387 Innovation Index — which makes sense given Mazda's minimalist approach to tech.

Want to know where your favorite automaker ended up and why? Check out the full J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Tech Experience Index study for more details.


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9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Antarctica, Nvidia, Star Wars And More


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9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Antarctica, Nvidia, Star Wars and More


9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Antarctica, Nvidia, Star Wars and More

Antarctica: It's cold, it's got penguins and it's a long, long way from wherever you live. All true, but there's a whole lot more to it than that. Starting with: It's a lot closer to you than you think, given how the effects of climate change there will impact places around the world.

Plus, it's just plain fascinating. CNET's Jackson Ryan traveled there for more than a month over the winter (Antarctica's summer), and came back with lots of stories to tell, focused on the science being done and the scientists doing that good work. You can read about ice core drilling, traveling on an icebreaker, studying sea life, unlocking the secrets of a meteorite and keeping non-native species at bay.

Those stories are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don't want to miss.

An ambitious experiment to drill into the ice sheet and travel a million years into the past.

Illustration of ice in a test tube against a background of ice, all tinted blue
Robert Rodriguez/CNET

Exclusive: The new chip helps cement Nvidia's lead in technology that's revolutionizing computing challenges like language and self-driving cars.

Nvidia's H100 Hopper chip
Stephen Shankland/CNET

Help us, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're our only hope.

Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
Star Wars/Disney Plus

Traveling to the bottom of the planet inside a new, world-class icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina.   

Pete Harmsen/AAD

A few laps around a rallycross course in Sardinia show me the pros and cons of Audi's gasoline-electric off-road racer.

Audi RS Q E-Tron Sardinia
Audi

Shopping lifts your mood, but impulse buying and even addiction can hurt your wallet. 

An illustration showing multiple shopping carts against a yellow background.
Getty Images

As the world warms, non-native species threaten Earth's last great wilderness.

Illustration featuring a UFO casting light down onto flies and sea stars in an Antarctic wilderness
Naomi Antonino/CNET

For the athletes of SailGP, hydrofoil racing involves facing hurricane-strength winds while sitting in a "carbon fiber missile."  

The Team USA F50 sailboat sails in front of the Golden Gate Bridge as a helicopter hovers nearby.
Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Along For the Ride isn't just another Netflix young adult flop. I should know -- I'm in it.

A young man and woman smile flirtatiously at each other on a darkened street with palm trees in the background.
Emily V. Aragones / Netflix

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