You can feel it in the Costco parking lot: more cars that are electric, fewer tailpipes idling in the afternoon heat. In 2024, fully electric vehicles made up roughly 8–10% of new U.S. car sales, and the growth hasn’t stopped. Yet for many shoppers, “EV” is still a fuzzy idea: Are these only tiny city pods? Are they all Teslas? Is buying used a gamble? This guide cuts through the marketing fog and shows you what electric cars actually look like in 2025, and how to pick one that fits your life, not someone’s press release.
Quick definition
When we talk about “cars that are electric” in this guide, we’re focused mainly on battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), cars that run only on electricity, not gas. We’ll touch on plug-in hybrids for context, but the spotlight is on fully electric models.
What Makes a Car “Electric”?
At its core, an electric car replaces the familiar combo of gas tank + engine + transmission with a battery pack + electric motor + power electronics. You charge it with electricity instead of filling it with gasoline, and the motor turns that stored energy into motion almost instantly. No gears hunting. No upshifts. Just torque.
- A large traction battery (measured in kWh) stores energy, like a much bigger, smarter version of your phone battery.
- One or more electric motors drive the wheels, delivering smooth, instant acceleration.
- An onboard charger and DC fast‑charge hardware manage how quickly the car can take on energy from public chargers.
- Software manages everything, thermal control, efficiency, driver assistance, even over‑the‑air updates.
Why EVs feel so quick
Even modest electric cars deliver that roller‑coaster shove from low speed because electric motors make near‑max torque from zero RPM. A family crossover like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Tesla Model Y feels quicker in traffic than many so‑called performance sedans.
The Main Types of Electric Cars
Three ways a car can be electric
They all plug in, but they don’t behave the same way.
Battery‑Electric (BEV)
Runs only on electricity. No gas tank, no tailpipe.
- Most popular new EV type in the U.S.
- Typical range: about 220–330 miles today.
- Examples: Tesla Model 3/Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Chevy Equinox EV.
Plug‑In Hybrid (PHEV)
Has a battery and a gas engine.
- Electric range: usually 25–50 miles.
- Great if you want EV commuting but gas backup for road trips.
- Examples: Toyota RAV4 Prime, Jeep Wrangler 4xe.
Conventional Hybrid (HEV)
Electrified, but does not plug in.
- Battery is tiny and charges from the engine/braking.
- Better MPG, but not a true EV experience.
- Examples: Toyota Prius, many hybrid SUVs.
Don’t be fooled by the badge
“Electrified” has become an all‑purpose marketing word. If you care about driving on electricity, look for cars that actually plug in, BEVs or PHEVs, not just any model with a blue ‘eco’ logo.
Most Popular Electric Cars in 2025
Electric cars by the numbers
The list of cars that are electric is now longer than a dealership sales contract, but a few models dominate American driveways. Through 2024 and into 2025, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are still the volume kings. Behind them, a rising pack of crossovers and trucks is elbowing for space.
Best‑selling fully electric models in the U.S. (recent data)
A snapshot of which cars that are electric Americans actually buy.
| Rank | Model | Type | Key strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | Compact SUV | Benchmark blend of range, charging network, and efficiency. |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 | Sedan | Sporty, relatively affordable, and still the default “first EV” for many. |
| 3 | Ford Mustang Mach‑E | Compact SUV | Sporty dynamics with Mustang branding and a practical hatchback body. |
| 4 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Compact SUV | Ultra‑fast charging, bold design, very livable cabin. |
| 5 | Tesla Cybertruck | Pickup | Polarizing design, huge performance, strong early demand from truck shoppers. |
| 6 | Ford F‑150 Lightning | Pickup | America’s best‑selling truck, but electric; great for home backup power. |
| 7 | Honda Prologue | SUV | Newer entry that jumped quickly up the charts with mainstream appeal. |
| 8 | Chevrolet Equinox EV | SUV | Mass‑market pricing aimed squarely at middle‑class families. |
| 9 | Cadillac Lyriq | Luxury SUV | Upscale, quiet, with strong range and tech. |
| 10 | Rivian R1S | Adventure SUV | Off‑road capable three‑row SUV with outdoorsy branding. |
Sales figures rounded; focus is on relative popularity, not exact units.
Think segment, not just model
Instead of fixating on the headline‑grabbing nameplates, ask: What segment do I actually need? Compact SUV, truck, small hatchback? Within each category there are multiple EV choices now, especially if you’re open to buying used.
Electric SUVs and Trucks Worth Knowing
If 2015 was the era of the quirky little EV, 2025 is the age of the electric crossover and truck. Automakers finally realized Americans don’t want to be punished for going electric; they want their usual shapes and sizes, just without the gasoline hangover.
Notable electric SUVs and trucks
From school‑run haulers to worksite bruisers.
Family & lifestyle SUVs
- Tesla Model Y: The default choice; strong range and charging network.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Kia EV6: Stylish, quick‑charging, and surprisingly refined.
- Chevy Equinox EV: Aims to be the first electric car for the American middle class.
- Cadillac Lyriq: Luxury without the gas‑guzzler guilt.
Trucks & adventure rigs
- Ford F‑150 Lightning: A familiar F‑150 that can also power your house.
- Tesla Cybertruck: Stainless‑steel fever dream with wild performance.
- Rivian R1T & R1S: Tailored for people whose Instagram is 90% trailheads.
- Kia EV9: Big three‑row electric SUV, minivan soul in SUV clothes.
SUV doesn’t have to mean short range
Early EVs made you choose between usable cabin space and decent range. That’s changing quickly: several electric SUVs now deliver 300+ miles of rated range, with real‑world highway numbers that don’t feel like an experiment in self‑denial.
Range, Charging, and Real-Life Use
The main questions shoppers ask about cars that are electric are always the same: How far can it go, and how annoying is it to charge? The honest answer: for daily life, range anxiety is largely a ghost story; for road trips, charging still demands a bit of planning and tolerance.
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Understanding range
- Modern EVs commonly deliver 230–320 miles EPA‑rated range.
- Cold weather, high speeds, big wheels, and roof boxes quietly steal miles.
- A good rule of thumb: expect about 70–80% of the rated range on winter highway drives.
- Battery size (kWh) isn’t everything; some cars are simply more efficient.
Understanding charging
- Level 1 (120V): wall outlet, ~3–5 miles of range per hour. Fine for very short commutes.
- Level 2 (240V): home or workplace, often 25–40 miles per hour.
- DC fast charging: road‑trip tool; can add 150–200 miles in 25–30 minutes on newer models.
- Charging networks are improving but still uneven; Tesla’s Superchargers remain the gold standard, now opening to more non‑Tesla EVs via adapters and NACS ports.
Don’t live on DC fast charging
Using DC fast chargers all the time is like drinking espresso instead of water. It’s fine occasionally, but it can accelerate battery wear and it’s more expensive. The happy place for most EVs is slow, steady Level 2 charging at home or work.
Costs, Incentives, and Total Value
Sticker prices for new cars that are electric can still make you inhale sharply, trucks like the Ford F‑150 Lightning or luxury barges like the Cadillac Escalade IQ are not charity projects. But the financial picture looks very different when you zoom out beyond MSRP and include fuel, maintenance, and today’s healthy used‑EV discounts.
Where EVs save you money (and where they don’t)
Consider the full equation, not just the window sticker.
Fuel costs
Electricity usually beats gasoline on cost per mile.
- Home charging can feel like paying $1–$1.50 per gallon equivalent in many regions.
- Public fast charging is pricier, but still often competitive with gas, especially at off‑peak times.
Maintenance
No oil changes, fewer moving parts.
- Brake pads last longer thanks to regenerative braking.
- No timing belts, spark plugs, or exhaust systems to fail.
- Tires may wear quicker on heavy, powerful EVs.
Incentives & resale
Federal and state incentives can reduce the effective price for qualifying buyers.
- Some states add rebates or HOV‑lane perks.
- Used EV prices have come down, but quality cars with healthy batteries hold value well.
Watch the fine print on incentives
Eligibility for federal and state tax credits now depends on where the car is built, where the battery materials come from, and your household income. Before you fall in love with a specific EV, confirm whether you qualify, especially if you’re comparing new vs. used.
Buying Used Electric Cars: Smart or Risky?
Here’s the quiet revolution: the easiest way into cars that are electric, for many households, is now the used market. Early EVs are coming off lease, prices have softened, and battery tech has improved enough that a three‑ to five‑year‑old EV can still be a very solid bet, if you know what you’re looking at.
Used electric car buying checklist
1. Focus on battery health first
The battery pack is the EV’s single most expensive component. Prioritize cars with verified battery health data, not just mileage. A low‑mile car that fast‑charged every day can be worse off than a higher‑mile car treated gently.
2. Understand remaining warranty
Many EV batteries carry <strong>8‑year or 100,000‑mile</strong> warranties (sometimes more). Check when the clock started, what’s covered, and whether capacity loss is included or just outright failure.
3. Check charging history and habits
Ask the seller how they charged the car, mostly Level 2 at home, or almost all DC fast? Frequent fast charging isn’t a dealbreaker, but it informs price and expectations.
4. Inspect for software support
Is the car still receiving over‑the‑air updates or dealer software support? A used EV with abandoned software is like a smartphone stuck on an old operating system: increasingly inconvenient, sometimes insecure.
5. Test real‑world range
On the test drive, watch energy consumption at highway speeds and in your typical routes. Does the predicted range behave sensibly, or plummet faster than the odometer climbs?
6. Get a third‑party EV inspection
Not all pre‑purchase inspections are created equal. Work with a shop or service that understands high‑voltage systems, not just oil changes and timing belts.
Where Recharged fits in
Every vehicle listed on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report, including verified battery health, fair market pricing, and an expert‑guided online buying experience. If you’re exploring used cars that are electric, this kind of transparency is the difference between educated risk and blind trust.
How to Choose the Right Electric Car for You
Picking an EV isn’t a personality quiz (“Which electric crossover are you?”). It’s a fitment exercise: your commute, your parking situation, your road‑trip habits, your budget. Work through those, and the right subset of cars that are electric drops into focus.
Match the EV to the life, not the other way around
City & suburban commuters
Daily driving under 60 miles? Prioritize comfort and efficiency over giant batteries.
A compact SUV or hatchback BEV with 220–260 miles of range is usually plenty.
Look for easy home Level 2 charging; apartment dwellers should check workplace and public options near home.
Families & road‑trippers
Aim for <strong>280–320 miles</strong> of real‑world highway range if you road‑trip often.
Check DC fast‑charging speed (in kW) and network coverage along your routes.
Consider larger SUVs like Tesla Model Y, Kia EV9, or Hyundai Ioniq 5 for space and road‑trip comfort.
Trucks & utility users
Be realistic: towing a heavy trailer can cut EV range by up to half.
If you regularly tow long distance, plan charging stops carefully or consider a plug‑in hybrid truck for now.
Look for bidirectional power (Ford F‑150 Lightning, some Kia/Hyundai models) if you want home backup or job‑site power.
Budget‑conscious buyers
Start with <strong>used EVs</strong>, prices have dropped significantly versus new.
Target 3‑ to 5‑year‑old cars with solid battery warranties remaining.
Use marketplaces like Recharged that show transparent battery diagnostics and financing options.
Try before you leap
Before committing, rent or subscribe to an EV for a week. Many owners report that after seven days of living with a charger instead of a gas station, they never want to go back. Better to discover your charging quirks on a trial run than after signing a 72‑month loan.
FAQ: Common Questions About Cars That Are Electric
The Bottom Line on Cars That Are Electric
Cars that are electric are no longer science projects or virtue signals. They’re just cars, compact SUVs, family crossovers, trucks, and sedans, powered by electrons instead of gasoline. The trick is ignoring the hype and matching the car’s realities to your own: your charging options, your routes, your budget, your tolerance for road‑trip logistics.
If you want the full new‑car smell and tax‑credit chase, there has never been a broader lineup of electric models on the showroom floor. If you’d rather let someone else take the first‑owner depreciation hit, the used market, especially with tools like the Recharged Score Report for battery health, has finally come into its own. Either way, the right EV shouldn’t demand you reinvent your life. It should simply make every familiar mile quieter, cheaper, and a lot more interesting.
