Iowa is fast becoming a promising market for electric vehicles (EVs), with sales rising sharply in recent years. By Q2 2022, over 9,400 plug-in electrified vehicles were registered in the state – a whopping 750% increase from just 2016, as per Iowa DOT statistics.
Several interlinked factors are fueling this rapid growth:
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Supportive legislation: Iowa offers generous federal and state purchase incentives up to $7,500 for qualifying EV buyers. These include both tax credits and cash rebates. The state also joined the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) last year, signaling government commitment to accelerate clean transportation goals regionally.
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Expanding charging access: Iowa now has over 500 public charging ports at 250+ locations, tripling sites over the past 3 years per Department of Energy data. Strategic placements along highway corridors are making road trips more feasible for EV drivers.
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Improving tech and affordability: Increased model availability from traditional and startup automakers has bred competition. Falling lithium-ion battery prices coupled with the rise of lower-cost, short-range EVs has also made adoption more accessible.
For Iowa residents curious about which EVs dominate the local market currently, this insider guide will showcase the top models leading the charge right now.
The Current Electric Lineup – Iowa‘s 8 Most Popular EVs
EV offerings in Iowa run the gamut from practical commuters to luxury cruisers and everything in between. Here are the battery-powered rides locals are embracing today based on registration volume statistics:
| EV Model | Range (miles) | Acceleration: 0-60 mph (sec) | Base MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 358 | 5.3 | $46,990 |
| Chevy Bolt EV | 259 | 6.5 | $31,995 |
| Tesla Model Y | 330 | 3.5 | $65,990 |
| Nissan Leaf Plus | 215 | 6.5 | $32,620 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 247 | 6.1 | $46,895 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 258 | 6.4 | $34,000 |
| Audi e-tron | 222 | 5.5 | $68,400 |
| Jaguar I-PACE | 234 | 4.5 | $71,300 |
While Tesla still clearly dominates based on total registered vehicles, an expanding roster gives buyers more options to weigh. Let‘s examine what‘s driving interest in these trending EV contenders:
Tesla Model 3
The runaway sales leader not just in Iowa but across America, Tesla‘s popularly-priced Model 3 needs little introduction. Just as Ford‘s Model T brought motoring to the masses back in 1908, Tesla‘s tech-loaded Model 3 made EVs accessible to today‘s mainstream when it first debuted in 2017. By combining sports sedan acceleration and handling with adequate 300+ mile range between plug-ins, the rear-wheel drive Model 3 created an entire industry segment now copying its success formula.
Over 1,600 Iowans and counting have already voted it their EV of choice. For 2023, Tesla continues minor refinements like an updated center console and other interior tweaks. Yet range, performance and autonomous driving capabilities still outpace anything in its price class. The Model 3‘s dominance looks secure as America‘s best-selling luxury car five years straight based on new registration data. No wonder that in a recent Consumer Reports owner satisfaction survey, a staggering 91% of Model 3 respondents said they‘d buy it again – that‘s loyalty no rival comes close to matching yet.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Close behind in second place is the subcompact Bolt EV hatchback from legacy carmaker General Motors. Don‘t let its diminutive size fool you – the Bolt delivers punchy performance belying its affordability. GM has sold over 150,000 Bolts globally since its 2016 launch. For 2023, a refreshed model gets sleeker styling plus added tech features for under $32,000 to start.
What‘s the appeal for Iowans? Non-Tesla EV hunters find its near 260-mile EPA range and lively handling at a reasonable price point alluring. Minimal fast charging downsides also make the Bolt at home for local commuting. For Costco devotees eyeing EV options, the Bolt‘s impressive cargo flexibility earns more store hauling capacity than any Tesla model offers. Lastly, Chevrolet‘s established dealership network lowers service barriers versus direct-sales only brands. With federal tax credits of $7,500 still available as supplynormalizes, the Bolt presents convincing value.
Tesla Model Y
Tesla snags both the final podium place and official best-selling EV worldwide with its newer Model Y crossover. Blending the 3‘s technology with more practical roominess, this sleek electric SUV has quickly captured fancy since first deliveries in early 2020. The Model Y‘s sweeping panoramic glass roof and up to 330 miles range make road trips and around-town jaunts stress-free. Matching the benchmark Model 3 on both performance and features, the Model Y adds extra cargo flexibility plus available third row seating not found on its lower-riding sibling.
Costing around $20,000 more than the Model 3, the Model Y clearly courts a more affluent audience less sensitive to sticker price. Pre-configured inventory ready for quick delivery has shortened wait times as output scales up. Recent price cuts also enhanced its relative value equation. For Iowans wanting a larger yet efficient electric family vehicle with minimal compromises, the well-reviewed Model Y already generates serious demand.
Nissan Leaf
Few EVs on sale today have as rich a history as the Nissan Leaf, having pioneered affordable electrics a decade before Tesla arrived. Reliable, practical and value-focused, the 2023 Leaf remains a smart EV pick starting at just over $30,000. Coming standard with ample safety assists and technology features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Nissan positions this EV as simplified mobility. The Leaf Plus model sees minor range improvements for 2023, now reaching 215 miles between plug-ins.
While no speed demon, its peppy 214 horsepower motor delivers smooth quiet acceleration that‘s on par with far pricier Audis and BMWs. Handsome 11 kW onboard charging capability also enables shorter pitstop recharges. Having cumulatively sold over 700,000 Leafs globally through 2022, Nissan backs it with years of EV expertise and data few rivals can yet match. For Iowans wanting reputable electric transportation without pretense, the friendly Nissan Leaf checks all the boxes.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The legendary Mustang muscle car evolving to battery-power represents a watershed moment. With the Mustang Mach-E, Ford shattered expectations of what an electric vehicle can deliver starting under $47,000. The sleek Mach-E fastback turns heads with its sports car looks, while the standard 88 kWh battery travels a competitive 247 miles before recharging. For power junkies, the GT Performance Edition pumps out a riveting 480 horses – Handling benefits from weight balanced evenly front-to-rear for confident agility dodging Iowa‘s rural roads or tackling wintery conditions.
Though a latecomer to EVs, Ford targeted 300,000+ Mach-E sales annually within 2 years since its late 2020 arrival. Iowans have quickly warmed up to this electrified Mustang balancing zero emissions with exhilarating performance. With Ford‘s huge U.S footprint and factories churning out examples at a rapid clip, count on sightings of this electric pony multiplying as gas costs gallop higher.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Shoppers prioritizing maximum range and utility from a smaller EV should shortlist the Hyundai Kona. Like Iowa‘s agricultural bounty growing more diverse crops, Hyundai offers combos of gas, hybrid or full electric Konas sharing one versatile platform. The Kona Electric differentiated itself from the herd immediately, winning the ultra-competitive North American Utility Vehicle of the Year title for 2019. Impressively, the Kona Electric beats not just its gas-powered twin but also luxury Mercedes and Jaguar rivals costing nearly twice as much on range. With 258 miles attainable from a fully charged battery, this peppy electric CUV punches above its weight.
Nicely-equipped SEL models start at a reasonable $34,000 before potential incentives. Hyundai also backs the Kona Electric with generous warranty protection, indicating faith in its reliability. Combine competitive range with good value and Hyundai‘s penchant for feature packaging, and the Kona Electric is catching on with budget-minded families and young professionals alike. Don‘t overlook this unsung EV if travelling Iowa‘s vast countryside between charges matters.
Audi e-tron
For buyers who refuse to sacrifice superb handling, luxury or soundtrack quality when going electric, Audi makes a compelling case with its sleek e-tron. Built on its heavily-engineered MLB platform underpinning petrol and diesel siblings, the dual-motor e-tron integrates batteries seamlessly into an unequaled cabin environment acoustically. Expect the same standards of opulent interior design excellence and driving sophistication hallmarking the four-ring badge through three generations of quattro AWD performance.
Yet the e-tron advances the formula by generating instant acceleration provided by two potent electric motors – 0 to 60 mph arriving in under 5 seconds. Standard driver aids like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise assist relax journeys, while the virtual cockpit display keeps critical navigation prompts and charge status always visible. EPA range now reaches an estimated 222 miles for Models Year 2023, quelling early anxiety over its battery capacity. With Audi‘s reputation for building vehicles that seem hewn from granite, the polished e-tron delivers quiet competence letting you focus solely on the road ahead.
Starting around $68,400, the midsize Audi e-tron slots right between its Q5 and Q7 SUV siblings pricewise. That makes this luxury EV crossover well-matched to affluent urban professionals wanting sustainable transportation without compromises. An overtly stylish Sportback variant possessing a rakish roofline also caters to design-conscious buyers. As public charging options and EV range continually improve, expect Audi‘s advanced electric efforts earning more Iowa admirers.
Jaguar I-PACE
Rounding out Iowa‘s top echelon EVs is a luxury battery-powered cat from Britain – the Jaguar I-PACE. Receiving critical acclaim since launching in 2019, the sleek I-PACE blends hint of traditional Jaguar styling grace with a thoroughly modern electric heart. Its 90 kWh battery pack delivers 234 miles range for crossing Iowa‘s northern plains between plug-ins. Capable of rapid charging its sizable cells from near empty to 80 percent in just 40 minutes, road trip anxiety fades away.
Twisted roads reveal even more magic as 394 turbocharged horses emerge instantly from its silent motors. With sports car genes in its DNA, the all-paw I-PACE has an innate agility belying its 5,000 pound curb weight – Hustling its heavy hardware to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds before topping out around 130 mph. Handling too benefits from a low center of gravity central battery placement that enhances poise through bends. Inside, sustainable luxury finishes include open-pore wood veneers and optional ‘Cloud‘ metallic fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles.
The 2023 Jaguar I-PACE starts around $71,300 – an electrifying value borne from British understatement and charm. For Iowa‘s drivers wanting a private jet experience without the running costs, this stylish Jaguar beckons your inner aristocrat.
Key Takeaways – The Electric Future Looks Bright for Iowans
America‘s heartland seems ripe for an EV inflection point, when transitions from early adopters to mainstream acceptance occur. Tesla appears positioned for continued domination barring severe demand destruction from potential recessions. Yet legacy automakers are responding with more affordable and capable contenders catering to market segments once untenable. From Ford eliminating EV waitlists to 2023 orders, or Hyundai promising over a dozen zero emissions models soon, momentum keeps building.
As battery prices decrease further and charging times accelerate, purchase price and range anxiety objections dissolve. Supportive legislation and infrastructure growth also ease adoption barriers. Within the decade, EVs could outsell gas-powered models if these tailwinds persist. For Iowans, the era of electric driving has absolutely arrived from cute hatchbacks to super SUVs. Hopping aboard this ride now looks like a savvy move before the bandwagon fills up.
EV Ownership – Frequently Asked Questions
How does driving range compare between EVs and gasoline-powered cars?
Modern EVs offer anywhere from 100 miles for shorter-range city runabouts to over 300 miles for premium Tesla models, rivaling what most gas vehicles deliver on a full tank. The EPA-rated ranges for Iowa‘s top EVs highlighted above meet the average American‘s daily driving needs of under 40 miles without range anxiety.
What about cost of ownership – are EVs cheaper long-term than gasoline cars?
Factoring available federal tax credits of $7,500 along with state incentives, EVs can match or beat the 5-year total cost of owning a gas-powered or hybrid car. Reduced maintenance from far fewer moving parts, lower electricity rates versus soaring gas prices, and structural battery warranties also help minimize ownership costs for an EV buyer.
How long does it take to charge an EV typically?
Using a 240-volt home or public Level 2 charger, most mainstream EVs can recharge fully overnight during sleep hours, taking about 8 to 12 hours. For shorter public top-up sessions, fast DC chargers can add substantial range within 30-40 minutes. Upcoming models will charge even quicker thanks to battery chemistry and charging infrastructure improvements.
Are EVs as dependable as gas-powered cars? How do they handle Midwestern winters?
Studies indicate EVs actually average fewer annual repairs than the typical internal combustion vehicle. With simplified drivetrains lacking engine fluids, cylinders, mufflers and complex gearboxes to fail, electric vehicles prove remarkably fuss-free apart from tires and wipers. Cold weather reliability also keeps improving with better thermal protections for battery packs and motors. Judging by Iowa‘s enthusiasm for EV options today, winter hardiness appears sufficient for their needs already.
How does driving an EV feel compared to a gas-powered car?
EVs feel instantly responsive with full torque available right from standstill, making them faster off the line than equivalent gas models depending on the performance calibration. High-end EVs deliver sports car acceleration times rivaling exotic supercars. Their quiet operation also makes long highway drives more relaxing. Handling agility differs depending on an EV‘s weight distribution and center of gravity, but low-slung battery positioning generally improves poise through curves. For an unparalleled driving experience, modern EVs deliver smooth, silent potency unmatched by Internal combustion.
