Electric vehicles are gaining traction and popularity across the country. Just a short decade ago, it seemed that Teslas would remain something of a novelty purchase. However, recent initiatives on the federal and state level have led to a widespread embrace of the nascent technology.
Some states are a little slower than others when it comes to catching up to the gold standard of California, but the effort is being made nonetheless. Today, let’s take a closer look at the five most popular EVs in the state of Indiana.
Indiana has had fewer registrations than the national average on a year-to-year basis. That said, there are still signs of explosive growth as the infrastructure and support around EVs come to the United States. Along with exploring the most popular EVs, the data behind the state’s adoption rate and infrastructure certainly bears a closer look.
EV Support in Indiana
The adoption of EVs in the state of Indiana has been slow going. Sales are certainly beginning to take off, but the infrastructure behind EVs is struggling behind it. Currently, the city of Indianapolis houses the most electric vehicle charging stations, accounting for 508 that are available to the public.
The state itself only has over 600 charging stations in total, with most being centered around Level 2 charging. As it sits, current EV support behind the state is lacking. That is bound to change, however, given recent initiatives by the state to bolster the infrastructure.
The Indiana Department of Transportation, or INDOT, is spending nearly $100 million to provide an EV charging network. This should help to serve as the means to support hub-to-hub travel across the entire state.
It is still the early days of the push for EVs across the country. As such, not every state is going to be at the same level in terms of support as California, for example. This is bound to change with time, however.
Total EV Registrations in Indiana
EV registrations totaled 10,360 for 2021, which is a fairly substantial growth of 48.21% compared to 2020. Indiana isn’t home to the most, as that would be California with over half a million vehicles on the road using electric power. It isn’t home to the least, either, since that would be South Dakota.
The 48.21% growth in EV sales from 2020 suggests that EVs are beginning to get some headway in the state itself. The average consumer might be able to infer that the continued and promised infrastructural support is guiding some of these changes.
After all, it is hard to rely on an EV as your daily driver when the only charging options are your home. There is also the simple matter of cost. EVs up until very recently were relegated to something only select households could purchase. Cheaper options are becoming available, however, and even the used market is providing ample supply.
The Most Popular EVs in Indiana
EV enthusiasts might not be surprised by some of the entries here. It stands to reason that some inclusions, like Tesla, have a wider capture of the market in Indiana. That said, this list isn’t dominated solely by one company.
1. Tesla Model 3
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©Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock.com
The Tesla Model 3 is the most popular EV across the entire country. As you might imagine, this is also one of the most popular EVs in Indiana. The Model 3 is a blend between performance and affordability. Users can expect over 300 miles of range on a single charge under perfect conditions.
Tesla owners can also choose to use the Autopilot feature, which allows for autonomous driving on the highway. The Model 3’s basic trim package comes in at $40,020 and comes with quite a bit of power behind it.
2. Nissan Leaf
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The Nissan Leaf has been one of the most affordable options on the market for EVs for a number of years. The Leaf’s low cost and above-average range make for a rather popular entry-level EV. This is seen in Indiana, where new and used Leafs are readily available.
A new Leaf gets around 210 miles of range on a single charge and runs at $28,040 for the basic trim package. Since this is one of the more established EVs on the market, you can certainly find older models for a much lower price on the used market.
Like the Tesla Model 3, the Leaf also comes with a host of safety features. You can expect lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Leaf uses the J1772 charging adapter, so it can use more public charging utilities, as needed.
3. Chevrolet Bolt EV
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The Bolt is Chevrolet’s answer to the Nissan Leaf. Chevy’s EV has a better overall range and can be had at around the same price. With a starting price of $27,495, the Bolt is an absolutely affordable EV that could fit the budget of most households.
It is certainly on the smaller side, compared to something like the Model 3. That said, it isn’t left lacking for power or performance. Users can expect around 250 miles of range on a full charge.
Bolt owners can readily take advantage of the charging infrastructure around Indiana with the J1772 adapter. The Bolt is constantly improving. It looks like it will keep its low investment cost for some time to come.
4. Tesla Model S
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The Model S is a luxury sedan that just so happens to have an electric motor. The flagship of the Tesla lineup still remains popular, despite the high initial cost. Users can expect a stellar 396 miles of range. It also gets access to all the bells and whistles associated with owning a Tesla.
The Model S has quite a bit of power lurking in it, with a top speed of 200MPH. If you’re looking at getting your own Model S, you can expect to spend around $87,490 for the basic dual-motor package.
5. Kia Soul EV
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The Kia Soul EV still enjoys a great deal of popularity on the used market. Kia’s EV gets around 240 miles on a single charge. It isn’t much for extreme power, but the Soul EV makes for a great crossover vehicle.
Its compact size and ample storage put it in the same league as the Bolt and Leaf. It has since been succeeded by the Kia Niro EV, but there is still a great deal of use left in these. If you’re looking at your own Soul EV, you can expect to spend between $15,000 to $20,000 on the used market, depending on the year.
Hitting the Road with EVs in Indiana
Indiana still has quite a ways to go before it realizes its full potential for EVs. Infrastructure is forthcoming, and yearly sales are starting to hit explosive levels of growth. For the time being, those looking at purchasing their own EV in the state might have to rely on home charging.
The exception is for those who are living in the Indianapolis area, which has a great deal of infrastructure. With all this in mind, Indiana looks to be a state making a great push toward adopting the technology.
With the platform itself beginning to reach greater levels of maturity, it could be a great time to invest in an EV for your household. More manufacturers are beginning to swing towards the technology, and prices are becoming steadily available for households at a wide range of income levels.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com.
