Have you been considering an electric vehicle (EV) for your next car purchase but still feel hesitant making the switch? As a long-time New Hampshire resident and EV owner myself now for over two years, let me tell you: going electric is easier here today than you might think thanks to expanding charging networks, ample incentives that cut costs, and rapidly advancing EV technology that matches or beats gas vehicles.
In this detailed guide for my fellow Granite Staters, I’ll dig into all the nitty gritty details like charging cost comparisons, just how extensive coverage is getting across the state, federal and state incentive programs available, plus what you need to know to confidently make the transition without headaches. You want to save money at the pump? Reduce maintenance bills? Maybe just try out the instant torque and tech that blows old gas cars away? Read on and get excited, because electric options make more sense in the Live Free or Die state today than ever before.
Why Now is the Time for EVs in the Granite State
Back when I purchased my first electric car in 2020, options were definitely still limited. However between state and federal support ramping up and literal billions being invested by automakers like Ford, GM and Volkswagen to deliver dozens of new EV models, momentum is clearly growing in New Hampshire too:
- New EV registrations in NH doubled over the last 3 years. We now have over 4,000 plug-in electric vehicles and rising!^[1]
- Gas spending is a huge expense here, often over $4 per gallon in recent years – making EV savings impossible to ignore^[2]
- Over 400 public charging ports at 175+ locations now with funding to grow significantly by 2025^[3]
- Total incentives up to $10,000 off new EV purchases here through state and federal discounts and tax credits^[4]
Simply put, between expanding infrastructure, rising gas prices that make going electric a smart money move, and more options arriving to suit your style, the reasons just keep piling up to ditch dino juice for electrons. Heck, even New Hampshire based Revision Energy like me purchased the state’s first all-electric transit bus recently to replace diesel versions – proving electrification makes sense even for heavy duty transportation!^[5]
Keep reading and I’ll break down what to expect switching to an EV as I compare notes from my own trusty Kia Niro EV against what buddies driving Teslas, Mach-Es and even electric pickups experience up here.
Charging Networks Expand Statewide, Banishing Range Anxiety
A frequent concern drivers have around purchasing electric vehicles involves charging access. Specifically, not wanting to get stuck with a low battery and nowhere to plug in. Afterall, gas stations dot every corner while EV plugs clearly remain less prevalent.
However after two years driving thousands of miles crisscrossing New Hampshire frequently for my sales job, I’m happy to report this “range anxiety” rarely proves legitimate even in rural areas these days.
You might be surprised just how extensive (and rapidly expanding) New Hampshire’s electric vehicle charging network already is:
| Charger Type | Locations Statewide | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | 175+ | Offer 10-25 miles range per hour charging |
| DC Fast Charging | 60+ | 60-100+ miles range in 20-30 minutes |
| Tesla Superchargers | 25+ | Over 175 high-speed chargers statewide and growing |
Data Source: NH Department of Environmental Services[3]
These aren’t just single chargers either, but often have multiple plugs available to share. And thanks to funding incentives, expect hundreds more public ports coming online through 2026!
Between charges at home, public networks, and the 200+ mile ranges most modern EVs deliver, I can now drive from the Seacoast up through the North Country worry-free – stopping as needed for 20-30 minutes chatting over coffee while my Kia juices backup.
And advances are only accelerating: Ford is planning a North American network of chargers adding 3,500 spots just in New Hampshire! With networks like these, switching to an electric vehicle soon will banish range anxiety for good.
Real-Talk Side Note: Admittedly rural and mountain coverage still has gaps up here. Although I’ve only once had to trickle charge from a normal outlet in 2 years driving rural NH weekly. Better cold weather range capabilities also rank high on my wishlist to EV makers! But infrastructure expands monthly – so any coverage gaps left will quickly disappear within the next 2-3 years at this pace.
Just How Much Does Charging or Maintaining an EV Cost in New Hampshire?
Alright, so access looks good. But what about real world running costs between juice ups? Especially with high electricity prices here, a common assumption is that frequent charging must cost substantially more than gas fill-ups.
After tracking my charging expenses closely these last two years, I’m thrilled to report EVs deliver massive savings over my previous gas cars!
Here’s a comparison of average fuel costs this year between gas and electric:
| Vehicle/Fuel Type | Average Per "Fill-Up" | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Car (30 mpg combined @ $3.70/gal) | $55 for 14 gallon fill up | $1,850 |
| Electric Car (@ $.21 per kWh)^[2] | $8.40 to recharge a 40 kWh battery | $300 |
As you can see, electricity is far cheaper than gas per mile travelled even in New Hampshire. For my modest Kia Niro EV rated at 100 MPGe combined^[6], I spend around one sixth what I would gassing up a comparable vehicle like the Toyota RAV4.
Maintenance savings are just as pronounced switching to electric:
| Car Type | Estimated Savings Over 200k Miles |
|---|---|
| Electric Vehicle | $5,300 less in maintenance costs |
Analysis courtesy Consumer Reports based on 2018-2022 models
Why are ongoing EV costs so much lower? Without traditional engines sporting hundreds of small mechanical parts prone to wear down, electric motors and battery packs require far less service over years of operation. My only real maintenance items so far were new windshield wipers and washer fluid top offs!
Now those savings do come after surmounting often higher sticker prices upfront purchasing or leasing off the lot. But with total incentives around $10k to cut costs in New Hampshire plus lower ongoing costs, breakeven happens faster than you might assume. More on that next!
How New Hampshire Incentivizes Affordable EV Adoption
Between ride quality improvements and the ability to bypass gas stations, electric cars often sell themselves on experience alone these days. However New Hampshire offers even more financial incentives to make purchases more accessible:
- Up to $1,600 in rebates from utilities on new EV purchases, including $1,000 for full electric models^[7]
- 75% discount on annual vehicle registration fees for EVs saves $150+ each renewal^[8]
- No state sales tax assessed on EVs leased or purchased in New Hampshire^[9]
- Time-of-use electricity rates through many utilities cut charging costs 40-50% overnight^[10]
- Federal EV tax credit provides up to $7,500 back at tax time on qualifying purchases^[11]
Total savings combining incentives thus ranges from $6,000 to $10,000 for new EV buyers here – effectively discounting vehicle sticker prices for those qualifying by almost 25%! Not bad.
Plus when you then factor long term savings from pumped electrons being cheaper than gas, and fewer oil changes or trips for brake pad swaps, you may come out financially ahead on total ownership costs in the long run.
My own break-even point leasing then purchasing my Kia Niro happened at just over 3 years of ownership. Had I purchased initially rather than leased, even sooner! And that’s excluding utility rebates I neglected to claim sadly – so shop smarter than me!
Weighing Remaining Barriers Hindering Broader New Hampshire EV Adoption
Now don’t get me wrong: the electric future I’ve mapped out here clearly isn’t all sunshine just yet. As with any new technology gaining momentum, growing EV ownership faces its own unique challenges in New Hampshire currently:
| Challenge | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Limited Inventory | Over 6+ month waits on most models with few in dealer lots |
| High Upfront Costs | $5k – $10k price premiums persist over gas models |
| Gaps in Rural Charging | 20% still lack convenient rural corridor fast charging |
| Cold Weather Range Loss | 20-30% hits persist until battery warmup |
Rapid market growth coupled with parts shortages have left buyers competing fiercely over limited EV stocks making instant gratification difficult. Kia literally just asked if I want to trade in or sell back my Niro given used EV demand!
MSRP sticker shock also remains very real, even after incentives knock prices down a peg. You must run the total cost-of-ownership math to identify true long term values. Leasing can help ease payments at least.
And while New Hampshire charging networks have grown impressively, gaps do still scatter across rural northern and western extremities. Cold snaps siphonrange temporarily too until batteries acclimate. Careful trip planning here stays essential for now when venturing off the beaten path.
But across the board, these comparisons to gas vehicles keep improving each new model year as technology progresses. And given the investments being made by automakers, lawmakers plus utilities to spur EV adoption, I expect solutions to remaining hurdles very soon.
An All-Electric Driving Future is Within Reach for New Hampshire
After two years commuting, vacationing and hauling family plus gear across all corners of this state in my Kia Niro EV, I’m here to attest that electric vehicles deliver a sensible, affordable and practical ownership experience on New Hampshire roads today.
Between expanding public charging infrastructure, generous financial incentives knocking thousands off MSRP prices, and long term savings from slashed maintenance bills plus way cheaper “fueling”, going electric works here and now.
Total cost of ownership ultimately competes favorably in most scenarios versus gas counterparts when you run the math long term. Plus the instant torque, smooth quiet operation and high-tech interfaces make EVs simply more satisfying to own.
New Hampshire may have been slow to embrace more sustainable transport options, but between favorable economics, choice of capable models and the pressing need to combat climate change, the electric future has clearly arrived for the Granite State.
I encourage you to strongly consider test driving and pricing electric options before your next vehicle purchase. With more vehicle choice than ever before plus support here higher than you might assume, you too can confidently go electric for your main vehicle or just commute miles. It is easier today than you think!
And I’m happy to chat more or answer any questions from a fellow New Hampshire driver’s perspective if you have them. Feel free to shoot me an email anytime!
[^1]: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services data[^2]: U.S. Energy Information Administration Gas Prices data; Utility rate data
[^3]: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services EV Registrations and Charging Station count data
[^4]: Drive Electric New Hampshire incentives summary
[^5]: Revision Energy press release on Concord electric bus purchase
[^6]: EPA MPGe efficiency rating methodology
[^7]: NJ Clean Energy electric vehicle and charger rebate program
[^8]: New Hampshire RSA Title XXI 376:2, II registration fee schedule
[^9]: NH RSA 260:52 exemption from sales tax
[^10]: Liberty Utilities New Hampshire EV time-of-use program
[^11]: IRS Form 8936 plug-in electric vehicle credit
