I get it – when you think of eco-friendly states, Arkansas doesn‘t necessarily spring to mind. But the Natural State is making meaningful progress on adopting electric vehicles. As an EV owner myself here, I want to give you an insider‘s guide to benefits, incentives, charging infrastructure and everything potential EV buyers in Arkansas need to know. Let‘s dive in!
How Quickly Are EVs Catching On in Arkansas?
While modest compared to leaders like California, EV sales are rising rapidly in Arkansas. In 2021, over 2,000 electric vehicles were sold in the state – nearly triple from just a few years ago. Still, EVs only make up around 1% of total passenger vehicles here, below the national adoption rate of 4%. But forecasts suggest if trends hold, Arkansas could see over 127,500 EVs on the road by 2030 as prices fall and more models become available.
What‘s driving Arkansans towards EVs? Many want to reduce their environmental impact of course. But others love slashing maintenance costs, saving on gas and taking advantage of new technologies. As public charging stations expand across the state over the next five years due to the $54 million Arkansas received in federal funding, range anxiety will also fade.
How Easy Is It to Charge an EV in Arkansas Today?
Charging infrastructure is still catching up to demand, but hasn‘t hindered my experience. Here‘s a snapshot across some of Arkansas‘s largest cities:
| City | Number of Public Charging Stations |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | 100 |
| Fayetteville | 64 |
| Hot Springs | 44 |
| Fort Smith | 34 |
The table above shows the top EV infrastructure cities, though dozens more have at least a few public charging ports. In terms of charging levels found in Arkansas:
- Level 1 chargers take over 10 hours to recharge an EV battery fully. They‘re best for overnight charging at home.
- Level 2 chargers cut full recharge times down to around 4-8 hours. Many public stations and workplaces have these.
- DC Fast Charge stations can take an EV battery from empty to 80% in under an hour. Arkansas is expanding these rapidly thanks to $54 million in dedicated federal funding over 5 years.
I can say after a year zipping around in my Tesla Model 3, I haven‘t experienced any major public charging headaches. The state‘s major highways have reasonable coverage, especially between Little Rock, Fayetteville and Hot Springs. And if you have a garage, installing a Level 2 home charger gives you all the convenience you need at a fraction of the price of public charging.
What Are the Best Electric Vehicles for Arkansas Drivers?
If you‘ve started cross-shopping EVs like me, choosing the right model involves some key considerations:
- Your budget – EV prices span from around $27k up to $90k+ for luxury brands. Be realistic about what you can afford.
- Battery range – Carefully weigh your daily commute and any frequent longer trips. Different EV models offer between 200 to 400+ miles on a single charge.
- Charging infrastructure – Ensure charging stations compatible your EV are accessible along your regular routes.
Here‘s a breakdown of ownership costs over 5 years for some of my favorite EVs available in Arkansas:
| EV Model | Price (Starting MSRP) | Battery Size | Range | Home Charging Cost (5 Years) | Public Charging Cost (5 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Nissan Ariya | $47,125 | 91 kWh | 300 miles | $6,555 | $17,472 |
| 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $42,715 | 77.4 kWh | 303 miles | $5,623 | $14,306 |
| 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 | $83,100 | 105.2 kWh | 324 miles | $8,190 | $21,414 |
You‘ll notice charging at home saves over 50% compared to relying solely on public infrastructure over 5 years. And that‘s not even accounting for free public chargers or possible incentives from your utility – more on that later.
Overall there‘s compelling options at different price points to meet your needs. I love my long-range Tesla for road trips or driving all over the state. But the newer Nissan Ariya and Hyundai Ioniq 5 deliver fantastic value and range.
Do Arkansas Drivers Get Any Perks for Buying Electric?
This is where things get slightly disappointing – Arkansas is still developing on incentives compared to leading states. Right now there are no cash rebates or tax credits from the state for purchasing or leasing an EV. However…
- You still qualify for the federal EV tax credit up to $7,500 if you purchase new. Note that credits begin phasing out once an automaker sells over 200,000 EVs – so shop carefully.
- Arkansas offers a tax credit covering 30% of the cost to install a home charging station, up to $2,500. Having a 240v Level 2 charger in your garage is by far the cheapest refueling option.
- Some Arkansas utilities like Entergy provide free public charging or even home charger rebates to customers who buy EVs. Definitely check with yours on special offers.
The biggest area Arkansas still lags is providing purchase incentives like rebates, and registration fee policy:
- The state tacks on an additional $200 EV registration fee annually, compared to $100 for gas vehicles. Policymakers argue this makes up for fuel taxes EV drivers skip at the pump that pay for highway infrastructure. Something to be aware of that diminishes lifetime savings a bit.
So for now, federal tax credits, utility perks and gas savings make EVs compelling here. But lobby Arkansas legislators if you want to push them towards incentives more on par with neighboring states!
Bottom Line: EVs Are Viable in Arkansas
While Arkansas trails the pack on EV infrastructure and incentives, zero emission vehicles can definitely work for many drivers here. If you have realistic range needs, access to home and public charging, and shop models qualifying for maximum savings – going electric offers lower environmental impact and "fuel" costs.
I‘m here to answer any other questions one-on-one about transitioning to an EV. Reach out anytime!
