You may have noticed more electric vehicles cruising the streets and highways of Illinois lately. The Prairie State is fast earning recognition as a rising star in the EV revolution. Improving public charging infrastructure, policy incentives, and growing consumer interest have combined to put Illinois among the country‘s top 10 states for electric vehicle adoption.
As of the latest 2021 registration data, over 36,500 battery-powered cars are now registered in Illinois. National consumer reports give us a snapshot of the EV sales breakdown between brands. Tesla continues its market domination with 38% share. But legacy carmakers like Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen are catching up here in Illinois and nationwide:
| Automaker | EV Market Share |
|---|---|
| Tesla | 38% |
| Nissan | 21% |
| Ford | 8% |
| Volkswagen | 6% |
Now let‘s profile the stand-out electric vehicle models proving most popular with Illinois drivers making the switch from gas.
Tesla Keeps Wowing Illinois EV Shoppers
Tesla‘s meteoric rise needs little introduction at this point. The California company single-handedly designed electric vehicles that consumers craved rather than tolerated. The sleek, tech-laden Teslas draw comparisons to an iPhone on wheels – just much bigger, faster and loaded with innovations.
Number crunching of 2021 Illinois registrations shows the Tesla Model S as the reigning sales king. This luxury electric sedan combines blistering acceleration with ample driving range. The newly updated 2023 Model S Long Range serves up 405 miles per charge while the ultra-performance Model S Plaid Edition squeezes out 396 range from its tri-motor powertrain producing 1,020 hp.
Pricing continues to position the Model S as a premium offering, with base versions starting around $85,000 in Illinois. But supercar-like speed below 3 seconds 0-60 mph and high-end tech features justify the costs for many buyers. Autopilot driver assist, over-the-air software updates that continuously improve performance, and Tesla‘s cutting-edge infotainment system create a user experience unmatched by other luxury EVs trying to compete.
In fact, Tesla‘s brand cache and reputation for quality seem to bolster remarkably high loyalty and satisfaction rates from Model S owners here in Illinois and across owner surveys. While not cheap, the Model S delivers an unrivaled package of innovation mixed with thrilling acceleration that makes competitors‘ offerings feel stagnant. Tesla appears poised to continue its Illinois EV sales dominance for the foreseeable future.
Affordable Nissan Leaf Leads the Pack
The Nissan Leaf recently surpassed over 600,000 sales worldwide since its launch over a decade ago. This modest electric hatchback has claimed global bragging rights as the best-selling EV, appealing to cost-conscious shoppers. The Leaf lacks premier performance specs or flashy tech of Teslas, but its practicality and bargain pricing are big draws.
In Illinois, the Leaf finds fans wanting a reliable daily commuter vehicle that goes easy on the wallet. The 2023 Leaf S base model starts at $28,895 while the longer range Leaf SV Plus comes in at around $33,500 with incentives. Compared to the average price of a new gas-powered car hovering over $48,000 in 2022, the Leaf presents huge savings – even before factoring benefit from home charging over paying for gas.
Buyers do sacrifice some driving range, with lower S trims hitting 149 miles per full charge. Stepping up to the Leaf SV Plus increases that to a more useable 215 miles between plugging in. Recharging times can also drag at 7+ hours on a home Level 2 charger. But EV enthusiasts praise the Leaf‘s simplicity, low operating costs over its lifetime, and handy hatchback practicality.
In Illinois, Nissan Leaf sales made up over 20% of the state‘s EV registrations in 2021. For an affordable, fuss-free way to ditch gas without breaking the bank, the pioneering Leaf continues charming EV shoppers.
Ford F-150 Lightning Pickup Leaves Gas in the Dust
The best-selling vehicle line in America for over 4 decades, Ford‘s F-Series pickup enjoys an unrivaled following. So doubts emerged when Ford announced plans to electrify this trusty workhorse. No one was sure if truck lovers would accept battery-powered alternatives boasting torque over V8 growl. But reservations pouring in for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning signal this electric pickup checks all the boxes for even hardcore gas-fed fans.
In the first 6 weeks of ordering alone, Illinois drivers snatched up over 1,800 reservations for the hotly anticipated Lightning. Nationwide pre-orders have now surpassed 200,000 and counting. This red-hot demand stems from the Lightning matching or surpassing the capabilities expected of full-size gas pickups, while delivering a whisper-quiet electric driving experience full of high-tech perks.
Offered in Progressive trim models, the Lightning configured with extended batteries packs up to 320 miles of range – equaling smaller EV hatchbacks. Power output hits 563 hp enabling 0-60 acceleration as quick as 4.5 seconds. The base Pro work-ready trim starts around $48,000 in Illinois, while the lux Platinum model tops out just under $95,000.
Syncing seamlessly with owners‘ digital lifestyles, the Lightning tempts with conveniences like its enormous frunk storage, backseat workstation, onboard power generators, automatic over-the-air software improvemens, and hands-free driving assistance through Ford‘s Blue Cruise system.
Early glowing praise from critics and viral videos of the Lightning wowing crowds signal Ford knocked its first electric truck out of the park. Reservations list years-long waits in some regions of the country. But here in EV-friendly Illinois, the Lightning seems poised to claim the electric truck crown and lure more traditional pickup enthusiasts away from gas.
Volkswagen ID.4 Bringing Buzz to Illinois
Legendary German car maker Volkswagen looks to be regaining its footing here in the United States, thanks in large part to an affable electric SUV winning over owners. The ID.4 compact utility vehicle arrived for model year 2021, demonstrating VW‘s $86 billion investment towards electricdrivetrains and connectivity.
Initially the ID.4 saw slow uptake as inventory shortages plagued many Volkswagen dealers in Illinois and elsewhere. But sales velocity increased markedly through 2022. By year‘s end, national figures showed over 43,000 ID.4 deliveries, making it the second best-selling electric vehicle in America behind only the Tesla Model Y.
What explains the ID.4‘s appeal to Illinois EV shoppers? It starts with approachable pricing, with the no-frills Pro base model starting at $37,495. Costs are kept down since components like the 82 kWh battery pack and 201 hp electric motor are shared across other VW group EVs hitting global markets.
But the ID.4 feels anything but generic inside and out. Styling pops with its futuristic lightbar and smooth buttonless interior. Ample passenger and cargo room hits the sweet spot for young families or outdoor adventurers not needing a massive SUV or truck. The ID.4 averaged 275 miles per charge in Edmunds real-world testing – on par with far pricier luxury EVs.
Overall Volkswagen appears to strike the right balance with the ID.4 between practicality, quality and value. Strong demand in EV-hungry markets like Illinois signals the ID.4 could emerge as formidable competition to the BMW and Audi electric SUVs of the world.
Illinois Poised As Midwest EV Leader
Reviewing the electric vehicle models seeing the hottest demand here in our home state, compelling choice and variety across segments emerges. Whether your needs call for a luxury flagship sedan, basic commuter runabout, trusty truck or family-friendly SUV, compelling electric options exist that balance Americans‘ demanding performance and practicality expectations.
With sound policy supports like rebates incentivizing EV purchases, continued infrastructure investment in public charging networks, and global economies of scale bringing down EV battery costs over the coming decade, Illinois appears poised to remain a top 10 state accelerating electric vehicle adoption rates in the years ahead. Consumers respond favorably when electric vehicle choice aligns with their unique needs and pocketbooks. Expect to see Tesla facing stiff competition in Illinois if automakers keep delivering groundbreaking EVs rivaling gas vehicles when performance, price and charging convenience all sync.
