SAVE MONEY WITH AN ELECTRIC CAR

Although some are still a pricey luxury, we found EVs that are fun, affordable and eligible for tax incentives.

- DAVID MUHLBAUM

PEOPLE BUY ELECTRIC CARS FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS— a common one is the I’m-so-green statement they make. In our polarized times, that message has met with backlash, even vandalism. But how about this for a reason to buy electric that plays to a fundamental American (and Kiplinger’s) value: They can save you money.

That’s can, not will. You’ll have to align a number of variables to make the savings work. But the potential is there.

So, what are those variables? And what are the cars that fit the bill? And are they anything you’d want to actually, you know, drive? First, let’s recap the qualities of electric cars you can buy now:

• They all have excellent acceleration. Some are astonishingly fast.

• They all cost less to operate on a per-mile basis than a similar vehicle with a gas engine.

• Most cost more, new, than their gas-engine equivalents.

• Although electrics are not truly “zero pollution,” they are unquestionably greener than gas-powered cars.

• Models that have greater range (between recharging) cost more money.