There were more a year ago, before the federal benefits ended.
Need a new car and exploring the market for EVs. Looking for something on the smaller side, but the list so far is:
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Lexus ES350e
- BMW i4 eDrive40
- Subaru Uncharted
I live in CT, and of these cars none are on the lot within 100 miles of me. The closest is that a couple dealers have higher-end models of the Lexus (es500). Do you typically need to call the dealer and ask them to ship one for you? I find it hard to believe that that works for a test drive with no commitment to buy...
Or is this just part of the buying an EV thing? You need to plan trips to find the car you want to test?
There were more a year ago, before the federal benefits ended.
I was told recently by a Hyundai salesman that the Ioniq 6 is really scarce right now. I cannot speak to the other models.
They are only selling the N version currently. And that is in extremely limited numbers.
I ran into a similar problem a few years back. I don't think dealers have any interest in selling electric cars. I was very interested in the ionic 6, but it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I ended up in a Tesla. They are making electric easy, everyone else seems to be making it more difficult. I test drove a friends and then one at the dealership. I was hooked, despite my disdain for Elon.
Unfortunately, many dealers are actively trying to discourage people from buying EVs and trying instead to get people into ICE cars.
Ioniq 6 is going to be harder to find since it’s discontinued this year. I ended up getting the only used one on the lot, and there were like 10 used Ioniq 5s, but I just didn’t like them as much.
In Germany I just book a slot, they hand me the keys and off I drive for hours.
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You’re in New England. The FWD Lexus and RWD BMW will be harder to find than the AWD options. Ioniq 6 is discontinued. Best bet, find a pre owned i4 and test the ES500e. My local MA dealer has 10 ES500e and 0 ES350e.
The ioniq 6 is only discontinued in USA. You can still get them in Canada.
toyota bz is identical to the uncharted - could see if they have any
You are thinking of the Subaru Solterra and the Toyota BZ. The Uncharted is the same as the Toyota CHR, I believe.
I’m in Houston and you can find any ev you want. Thats insane they don’t have them in the tri state area.
Have never looked at those vehicles specifically, but I find when I look on dealer websites, what they have listed is what is on the lot. While I was waiting for a specific trim, battery size, color for the EV I bought a year ago (and called the dealer several times asking if I could just drive another and then order that one - they said no because they have a policy about guaranteeing delivery and couldn't tell me when such a vehicle would actually be built). One showed up on the website (annoyingly they knew that was what I was looking for and didn't call me) and I went straight there and drove/bought immediately. But if you are just trying to get a feel, I have never found any of the dealerships around me are totally without 3-5 options to test drive.
When you said small, my brain went straight to Renault 5, the BYD Dolphin or the MG 4. All good options.
Your brain should've read more of the post to where they say they live in CT where none of the options you mentioned are available 🤦
You live in America, automakers won't sell you a small car because it won't help them meet their quote of murdering children
Probably a combination of factors: dealers iffy about EVs stock fewer of them (because less servicing is required), higher demand means you sell what you get and don't let stuff stay on the lot for too long.
Look for the C-HR. Same platform and size as the Uncharted. I got one in CT. You just gotta find one as it comes in off the boat.