Car Research Advice

With the proper cable (typically included with the car), you can plug into a common 120V power outlet and gain 3-5 miles of range per hour charged.  If you drive 20-30 miles per day, you can plug your BEV in each night and regain the range used during the day.

If you want a faster charge you can explore upgrading to a 240V system, which typically provides 10-20 miles of range per hour charged. For any modifications to your home’s power system, consult an electrician to add 240V outlets, installed charging boxes, and ensure your home can support the proper amperage.

Yes, if you and the vehicle you are purchasing meet the IRS's qualifications. If so, your purchase of that qualified used electric vehicle could enable you to get federal income tax credits of either $4,000 or 30% of the price of the vehicle, whichever amount is less. The Treasury Department has specified the following eligibility requirements:

• The vehicle must be at least 2 years old; this means if you're purchasing a vehicle in 2023, it must be at least a 2021 model or older
• The vehicle sale price must not exceed $25,000
• The vehicle must have a plug-in battery with capacity of at least 7kWh
• The vehicle must be purchased from a licensed dealer like CarMax, not from a private party
• The buyer's adjusted gross income cannot exceed $75,000 for a single-filing taxpayer, $112,000 for head of household, or $150,000 for joint-filing taxpayers
• The buyer cannot have claimed another used EV credit within the last 3 years

Additionally, the used vehicle credit is only available once per vehicle (so once a used vehicle credit has been claimed on a unique vehicle, that vehicle is no longer eligible for the credit in future sales). You can view the list of qualifying vehicles directly on the Treasury Department's website. This list is continually updated.

Note: This FAQ is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the qualifications and requirements related to this tax credit. CarMax cannot provide tax advice. Consider consulting an accountant or tax attorney with questions about this tax credit.

A variety of factors can contribute to the longevity of an electric vehicle's battery, though some contributors are age of the battery, temperature exposure over time, number of charging/discharging cycles, and times the battery has been fully discharged.

What are the different charging plugs used on PHEVs and BEVs?

The three most common charging plugs that have been offered on BEVs and PHEVs are as follows:

1. CCS / J1772 – The CSS / J1772 plug has been the most common in North America and had been the market standard until 2023.  It has two variations, the standard J1772 plug with 5 pins that supports Level 1 and 2 charging, or the enhanced CCS (Combined Charging System) plug that adds 2 pins (for 7 total) and supports DC fast charging. 
2. NACS – While used only by Tesla until 2023, most automakers have announced they’ll switch future models sold in the US to use NACS (North American Charging Standard).  The NACS plug is smaller than the CCS and, for some, easier to handle.
3. CHAdeMO – The “Chad Mo” plug is a Japanese-market standard and was used on early BEVs/PHEVs like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, though both automakers have said they'll move to other standards in North America.

The CCS, NACS, and CHAdeMO all support DC fast charging; however, when using a public fast charger you’ll need to find one that has the appropriate plug for your vehicle.

There are three primary types of cars and trucks with electric power:

1. HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicles (commonly 'hybrids') - HEVs feature a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered by gasoline combined with a supplemental battery that doesn't need to be plugged in. The Honda Insight and Toyota Venza are examples of HEVs.
2. PHEV - Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (commonly 'plug-in hybrids') - PHEVs are similar to HEVs with a conventional engine and electric motor but have two primary differences: longer EV-only range and can be plugged in to recharge their battery (but most don't have to be – the battery can recharge as a typical HEV does). PHEVs are well liked because for most of their driving they can operate in EV-only mode, but can engage the ICE when driving longer distances or needing more power. The Ford Fusion Energi, which has an EPA-estimated EV-only range of 26 miles for 2019 and 2020 model years, is an example of a PHEV.
3. BEV - Battery Electric Vehicles (commonly what people mean when they talk about 'EVs') - BEVs use a battery and electric motor are used for propulsion instead of a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). The Tesla Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volvo XC40 Recharge are examples of BEVs.

There are several benefits to an electric car but for many, they might seem like a big step. Whether you want to live a more green-conscious lifestyle or just want to stop taking frequent trips to the gas station, an electric car is an excellent choice with a variety of options whether you want a sleek luxury, a practical SUV, or a compact for daily driving.

Energy must be used to get any vehicle up to speed, and typically that energy comes from either a fuel source or battery pack in your car. 

With a traditional braking system, pushing your foot on the pedal triggers the brake components to compress together, creating resistance to slow your vehicle's wheels. Any energy you had used to get up to speed is then lost as heat. 

With a regenerative braking system, your wheels are connected to a motor that recaptures some of the energy used to get your vehicle up to speed, which is then converted back to stored power in the battery—hence the name 'regenerative'. 

Most electric vehicles, including full EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs, feature both braking systems and allow you to select whether to use both or only regenerative braking. Because most regenerative braking systems kick in immediately after releasing your accelerator pedal (no need to apply the brake pedal) you can drive while using your traditional brakes significantly less often; this is commonly called one-pedal driving.