As an electric vehicle analyst living here in the Sunshine State, I‘m excited to see more Florida drivers discover the perks of going electric. Year after year, EV purchases and infrastructure expansion continue rising to meet swelling consumer interest.
If you‘re a Florida driver considering an EV yourself, you likely want to know – what are the most popular models in our neighborhoods right now? Today I‘ll spotlight the top 5 best selling EVs in Florida. I‘ll share key specs, features and real-world advantages that make these vehicles so enticing for locals.
By the end of this guide, you‘ll have a solid overview of the cream of the electric crop near home. My goal is to provide insider expertise so you can evaluate whether an EV fits into your lifestyle. Let‘s charge up and pull away!
An EV Inflection Point in Florida
Recent statistics reveal an electric vehicle revolution is stirring right here in Florida. According to Experian‘s 2022 Automotive Consumer Insights Report, Florida registered the second highest percentage growth for new EV purchases last year behind only Washington state. About 95,640 total electric vehicles hit Florida roads in 2021 – that‘s nearly double 2020‘s EV purchases!
Florida drivers seem to have reached a collective eureka moment regarding electric vehicle viability. So what‘s behind booming EV interest locally? Several key trends have aligned:
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More public charging stations – I drive an EV myself and can confirm Florida‘s charging network has expanded immensely even during the past 12 months. The state now hosts over 2,400 public charging ports according to the latest Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center listings. Major new stations continue coming online too – for example, Electrify America recently activated a new 20-stall charging hub in Jacksonville.
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More choices – We‘re seeing EV model availability accelerate rapidly. Almost every major automaker now fields at least one EV offering, if not a whole upcoming lineup of launches timed over the next 3-5 years. Exciting new models seem to debut monthly. This influx covers expanding price points and vehicle categories too – there‘s an EV out there for almost any driver now.
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Climate advantages – One clear perk of driving an EV over gas-powered cars? No more sweltering in parking lots waiting for air conditioning systems to catch up! Since electric A/Cs draw right from the battery pack, they achieve full cooling capacity almost instantly. Given Florida summers, that small comfort makes a noticeable impact for owners. It‘s a subtle but meaningful improvement.
Clearly the stars have aligned for swelling EV adoption locally. Next let‘s explore the most sought-after electric models by Florida drivers right now based on 2021 DMV registration figures for new electric vehicles.
The Current EV Cream of the Crop in Florida
| Model | Base Price | Range | 0-60 Time | Top Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | $47,000 | 272 miles | 3.1s | Autopilot, glass roof, center touchscreen, mobile app access |
| Tesla Model Y | $65,000 | 330 miles | 3.5s | 3rd row option, tow hitch, chrome deletes, impact-resistant windows |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $46,000 | 247 miles | 3.8s | Frunk storage, BlueCruise hands-free assist, OTA updates enabled |
| Nissan Leaf | $28,000 | 149 miles | 7.4s | e-Pedal one-pedal driving, ProPilot Assist, Safety Shield 360 |
| Chevy Bolt EV | $26,000 | 259 miles | 6.5s | Regen on demand paddle, 65 kWh battery capacity, Advanced Driver Confidence Package |
Above I‘ve compiled a head-to-head overview of the five EV frontrunners by Florida popularity. These rankings come straight from Florida DMV registration data for the 2021 calendar year. Here my focus is showcasing the specs and capabilities that set these trending EVs apart. Let‘s explore what unique strengths each model brings to the table for locals.
Tesla Dominates: Model 3 and Model Y
As a homegrown American EV brand, Tesla has built commanding leads in both sales and consumer perception. The Tesla Model 3 topped 2021 Florida registrations by a massive margin with over 55,000 new units registered. The recently launched Model Y SUV took second place with just under 14,000 newcomers last year.
So what proves so compelling about Tesla‘s entries? For starters, Tesla remains an industry leader in providing robust electric range between charges – both models here lead their categories. The building out of Tesla‘s vast proprietary Supercharger fast-charging network plays a huge role too; no other automaker can match this kind of ultra-fast charging infrastructure.
I drive Florida highways and byways regularly in my testing duties – Tesla‘s Autopilot and Full Self Driving beta also markedly ease long trips. Alerts and automatic assistance over long drives reduce fatigue. Speaking candidly, Tesla‘s brand cachet and CEO Elon Musk‘s showmanship lend a certain rock star appeal among early EV adopters as well. Model 3 and Y deliver slickly high-tech cabins packed with interactive entertainment.
Make no mistake though: behind the hype lives tremendously well engineered vehicles. Model 3 recently swept Car & Driver‘s EV Top Picks awards recognizing outstanding ride, handling, acceleration, range and charging speed. Similar results earned Model Y the recent Edmunds Top Rated Luxury EV award. In my experience testing both models through Florida‘s diverse cities and country backroads, Tesla simply builds phenomenal high performance EVs.
Mustang Mach-E Merges Iconic Style and Electric Future
Just as Tesla is redefining consumer electric perceptions, legacy automakers like Ford face pressure to transition iconic nameplates to battery power. Enter Ford‘s Mustang Mach-E – a sleek electric SUV wrapped in legendary pony car cues. The mission? Marry Mustang heritage with emission-free transportation.
The Mach-E has captivated curious petrolheads and everyday commuters alike since launching in late 2020. By 2021 registrations trailed only Tesla locally, evidencing strong early appeal. Ford leans into time-honored Mustang hallmarks like adventurous styling, ample performance and youthful spirit. A targeted OTA (over-the-air) update strategy aims to keep Mach-E tech current like a smartphone. Hands-free BlueCruise highway driving assist even pioneers autonomy ambitions.
Make no mistake though: Ford still needs to iron out some growing pains around charging, connectivity and quality issues on early builds. Yet as the sole long-running American automaker producing both gas and electric models, Ford holds immense influence for transitioning everyday consumers to EVs. Offerings like Mach-E merge enthusiasm for an all-American nameplate with electric vehicle advantages. Ford‘s massive pickup and commercial vehicle electrification plans will further spur adoption locally.
Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt Expand Entry-Level Options
Not every car buyer can afford a $40k+ vehicle, gas or electric. Happily two ultra budget-friendly EVs rank among Florida‘s top options: the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt EV. Both deliver over 200 miles electric range at purchase prices below $30,000. That kind of value opens EV ownership to younger, less affluent Floridians.
The Nissan Leaf deserves special recognition as a vanguard vehicle that helped establish modern electric credibility over a decade ago. Continual improvements in battery capacities, cabin tech and driver assistance have maintained Leaf‘s relevance even as new entrants encroach. One standout Leaf strength? Florida‘s year-round warmth enhances the appeal of Leaf‘s Preheat system, allowing owners to remotely activate cabin heating and defrosting while plugged in.
Meanwhile the Chevy Bolt EV‘s 259 mile range handily beats pricier competitors, proving GM can achieve impressive economies of scale. Clever tech like regen-on-demand paddle and one-pedal driving simplifies the transition to electric for first-timers. Recent high profile Bolt EV battery fire troubles have unfortunately plagued reception; happily Chevrolet provides an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty on corrected vehicles.
Both Leaf and Bolt fill a crucial entry-level niche often overlooked by flashier premium models. For the cost-conscious or EV-curious Florida driver, either model removes price barriers to adoption. Kudos to both veteran brands for democratizing participation in our EV future.
Key Purchase Drivers – Why These 5 Models Lead the Pack
Hopefully you now have a fuller picture of the unique personalities and capabilities defining Florida‘s most popular EVs. Before closing, I want to summarize the core shared strengths that collectively influence leading options locally:
| Purchase Driver | Local Relevance | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Florida‘s spread out cities and ample highways mandate vehicles that cover long distances between charging opportunities | 200+ mile ranges allow regional travel without excessive recharging stops |
| Fast Charging | For trips between cities, models that restore 60+ miles of range in 30 minutes keep drivers moving | Tesla Superchargers enable over 150 miles added range per 15 minutes charging |
| Tech/Assistance | Cruise control, lane centering, collision avoidance and more simplify open road travel which is common here | Mach-E BlueCruise allows hands-free highway driving assistance on mapped roads |
| Comfort | Given Florida climate extremes, heated/cooled seats and climate-controlled cabins provide welcome relief | In Nissan Leaf, activate cabin preconditioning to pre-heat or cool vehicle while still plugged in |
| Performance | Floridians regularly encounter wide open roads and higher travel speeds, so acceleration and composure at 70+ mph enhance safety | Model 3 and Model Y deliver sports car-like acceleration from every stoplight |
Notice the common themes? Top EVs locally provide confidence-inspiring road trip capabilities blended with creature comforts to tame Florida‘s climate. Our spread out cities and transient populations generate lots of highway miles. Fast charging enables distance travel while sophisticated assistance tech simplifies open road driving.
Given these realities, it‘s easy to appreciate why Tesla and Ford‘s entries dominate purchases. Their emphasis on technology, performance and charging infrastructure aligns perfectly to Florida travel patterns. As more models cater to these strengths, I anticipate swelling EV interest for years to come locally!
Parting Thoughts on Florida‘s Electric Future
I hope reviewing our neighborhood‘s highest volume EVs has helped demystify aspects of owning one yourself. Here in Florida where hot highways stretch for miles under a relentless sun, electric vehicles shine through. Their impressive ranges, charging speed, and cooling capacities transform road tripping. High tech interfaces not only entertain, but actively reduce fatigue over long drives.
I believe we‘ve only scratched the surface of EV potential regionally. The consumer response we‘ve seen toward early adopting models forecasts tremendous opportunity ahead as options and infrastructure continue improving. Whether cutting-edge or budget-friendly, the trend-setting electric vehicles highlighted today portend a seismic transition on Florida highways. The revolution feels like it‘s just getting started, my friends. I‘m thrilled you might become part of it too!
Let me know if you have any other EV questions I might address. Whatever model most excites you, I wish you happy electric travels across our beautiful state!
