Tesla price cuts spur dealer discounts and manufacturer incentives on other EVs
When one carmaker controls over 60% of the EV market, any price changes can reverberate through the industry. In this case, Tesla’s steep price cuts combined with gaining access to federal tax credits have sent shockwaves through the industry. Let’s take a look at the first price drops from legacy automakers…
According to KBB, the average transaction price of a new electric vehicle sold in January was $58,725. That’s a 5.4% drop since December, sparked by Telsa’s massive price cuts. Most notably, the Model Y starting MSRP plummeted by five figures, from being thousands of dollars over the average EV transaction price last year to thousands under, now as low as $51,990 for the sporadically available standard range version. Naturally this had a profound effect on its competition, and below is a summary of EV deals we discovered while updating our Electric Vehicle Price Guide and Electric Vehicle Lease Guide.
VW ID.4
Even though they publicly said otherwise, Volkswagen and its dealers were relatively quick to respond to Tesla’s price cuts, and for good reason. With trim levels and drivetrain configurations ranging from $38,995 for a rear-wheel-drive ID.4 Standard to $55,245 for an all-wheel-drive ID.4 Pro S Plus, prospective VW customers now have two luxury-branded EVs entering their trade space: the Model Y, an all-wheel-drive with more cargo space that is nearly identically priced with the high end of the ID.4 price range, and the rear-wheel-drive configuration of the Model 3, which at $41,490, costs less than a comparably equipped rear-wheel drive ID.4 Pro. VW hasn’t lowered their MSRP yet this year like Ford did on its Mustang Mach-E, in fact its last price move was in late December – a $1,500 increase that likely caused many ID.4 reservation holders to forego their opportunity to order a 2023 model (myself included). However, unlike other EV manufacturers, VW quickly rolled out a factory lease offer that passes the entire $7,500 federal EV tax credit to the consumer. Its lease terms are $649/month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, 10K miles/year for a 2023 all-wheel-drive ID.4 Pro S, which computes to an average monthly cost of $735/month before tax and license. That’s about $40/month cheaper than Tesla’s lease on a Model Y Long Range.
VW dealers across the country are now offering discounts, some of them substantial, on the ID.4. Topping the list of discounts on 2022 and 2021 models is VW of Perrysburg in Ohio with a $4,108 discount on a 2022 AWD Pro S, followed by VW of Fall River in Massachusetts with $3,000 off on a 2021 rear-wheel-drive Pro S and Cardinale Way VW in Southern California with a $2,000 discount on a rear-wheel-drive 2022 Pro S.
For those that qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax rebate and don’t want to lease, buying the Chattanooga-built 2023 ID.4 should be more attractive than buying a discounted 2022 or 2021 despite the 2023 model’s higher MSRP. Brooklyn VW in New York has the best deal on a 2023 with a $3,000 discount on an all-wheel-drive Pro S, followed by VW of Fall River in Massachusetts with $2,020 off on an all-wheel-drive Pro S and Peoria VW in Arizona with a $1,500 discount on a rear-wheel-drive Pro S. Check for VW ID.4 deals in your area.
Kia EV6
Like VW, Kia has not reduced MSRPs on their EVs in response to the Tesla’s price cuts yet, but it did improve lease terms on the EV6 somewhat. A 2023 EV6 all-wheel-drive in Wind trim with a $53,925 MSRP can be leased at $754/month for 36 months with $2,754 at signing, resulting in an average monthly cost of $810/month plus tax and license. That’s $37/month more than a Model Y Long Range lease even though the Model Y stickers for almost $1,000 more than the EV6. Settling for the less-expensive rear-wheel-drive EV6 Wind (MSRP $48,700) drops the average monthly cost down to $713/month, which is $60 less than the aforementioned Model Y lease. Kia has been ratcheting up its EV6 lease incentive, now at $2,700, but it continues to bogart a lion’s share of the $7,500 federal EV tax rebate rather than passing it all to the consumer, which results in lease terms that are less than favorable when compared to the competition.
Fortunately for the consumer, many Kia dealers have ditched the exorbitant markups of yore in favor of attractive discounts. Best discount we found is an EV6 Wind AWD priced at $5,700 below MSRP at Kia Store Anniston in Alabama. Next best is from Ron Tonkin Kia in Oregon, with a $3,250 discount on a rear-wheel-drive EV6 Wind. Kia of Irvine and Car Pros Kia of Glendale, both in the hot Southern California EV market, round out the best discounts on an EV6 with markdowns of $3,010 and $3,000 respectively. Find Kia EV6 deals near you.
Kia Niro EV
Frankly, the new-for-2023 second-generation Kia Niro EV seems a bit overpriced for today’s market. Besides overlapping with rear-wheel-drive versions of upscale EVs such as the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and now the Tesla Model 3, the Niro EV MSRP ($39,550 to $44,550) is also thousands of dollars more than similar front-drive EVs with over 200 miles of range – namely the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Nissan LEAF SV Plus. So it’s no wonder that there are Kia dealers that are discounting it so soon after its debut. Largest discounts below MSRP we found are at Ron Tonkin Kia in Oregon ($5,973) and Crowley Kia in Connecticut ($4,860), followed by SoCal dealers Kia of Irvine ($3,590), and Car Pros Kia of Glendale ($2,700).
As far as leasing, Kia recently reduced the monthly payment on its lease offer by $40/month. The terms are now $379/month for 39 months with $3,999 due at signing, for an average monthly cost of $472/month before tax and license, which is only $10/month more than Chevrolet’s Bolt EUV lease. Car Pros Kia of Huntington Beach in Southern California is one dealer that is advertising lease terms that beat the factory offer – $349/month for 39 months with $2,999 due at signing – which works out to an effective cost of $423/month before tax and license. The fine print in the ad lists stock numbers to which the lease special applies, including a few Niro EVs at the Car Pros dealers in Glendale and Moreno Valley. Look for Kia Niro EV deals in your locale.
Quick Takes
Nissan Ariya: This all-new, long-awaited crossover finally started arriving at dealerships in significant quantities last month, just as Tesla dropped the price of the Model Y by $13K. Inventory has ballooned in the past several weeks and some dealers are offering discounts over and above Nissan’s $1,240 “Reservationist Private Offer.” Nissan of Lewisville in Texas is taking $3428 off MSRP on an Ariya Evolve+, while Wesley Chapel Nissan in Florida is discounting an Ariya Engage by $1,000. We even found one dealer the San Francisco area – Concord Nissan – offering a $939 discount on an Ariya Engage. Nissan hasn’t published a factory lease offer yet, but we did find one dealer – Tustin Nissan in California – offering a $0 down, $599/month, 18-month lease on an Ariya Engage priced at $44,735. Look for Nissan Ariya deals near you.
Hyundai Kona Electric: The 2023 Kona Electric can be leased for an average monthly cost of only $382/month, which is currently the cheapest factory lease offer on an EV in the nation. A few dealers are offering discounts from MSRP, including Hyundai San Luis Obispo in California ($2,005 off), Atlantic Hyundai in New York ($1,761 off), and Ourisman Hyundai Laurel in Maryland ($886 off). Most Hyundai dealers are also advertising a Hyundai-backed $750 incentive packaged with low-APR financing, which sweetens the deal a little more. Check local dealers for Hyundai Kona Electric deals.
Hyundai Ioniq 5: This past weekend, Hyundai finally decided to pass the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit to the consumer in its Ioniq 5 lease offer. Terms are now $539/month for 39 months, $3,999 due at signing on a rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 SE priced at $46,835. For those that don’t want to lease, Hyundai now has a $1,000 cash incentive on the purchase of an Ioniq 5. Find Hyundai Ioniq 5 deals near you.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: A few remaining 2021 and 2022 models in GT trim are being offered below MSRP at Metro Ford Miami in Florida ($5,449 off), Greenway Ford in Florida ($2,000 off), and Stanley Ford in Texas ($1,208 off). 2023 inventory is growing, and many dealers are now offering what they have in stock at MSRP. Look for Ford Mustang Mach-E deals in your area.
Ford F-150 Lightning: A number of dealers are unwinding massive markups on remaining 2022 models in Lariat trim which, at MSRP, is $7,000 less than a 2023 Lariat. We even found a few discounts: Ford of Branford in Connecticut has a 2022 Lariat at a $2,023 discount, and Chapman Ford in Pennsylvania has a 2022 Lariat at a $1,522 discount. Stanley Ford in Texas doesn’t have a 2022 Lariat, but it does have a top-of-the-line 2022 F-150 Lightning Platinum priced $4,207 below MSRP at $89,997, which should be about $10,000 less than a similarly equipped 2023 model. Find a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning near you.
Tesla Model Y Standard Range: Yeah, this is the elephant in the room, so I saved it for last. Can’t order it right now, so if you want the least expensive, no-options example of this $51,990 gem, you’ll have to check Tesla’s immediately available inventory at least daily and plunk down a non-refundable $250 fee as soon as it pops up. If you don’t mind paying $2,000 more for big rims and need it in a color other than white anyway, you probably have a bit more time to decide since anything with options seems to hang around in inventory for another day or three, especially after the latest price hike (it actually appeared at $49,990 in January). Tesla’s current lease deal on this 279-mile configuration of the Model Y, even with the $2,000 rims and tires, is a relative bargain for a luxury-branded all-wheel-drive SUV at $523/month for 36 months, with $5,718 due at inception (including the $250 order fee), for an average monthly cost of $667/month before tax and license.
As always, check our Electric Vehicle Best Price Guide and Electric Vehicle Best Lease Guide for the best deals on EVs in the US.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Mack Trucks and Terex Utilities have announced plans to reveal the next generation of their zero-emissions utility bucket trucks at Work Truck Week in Indiana later this month – and it looks fantastic!
Co-developed by Terex Utilities and Mack Trucks on a Mack MD7 Electric Class 7 chassis, the new Terex bucket truck is a zero-emission utility capable of traveling longer distances and hauling more cargo wherever it’s needed to upgrade, or even restore power where it’s needed.
To make it work, Terex installed an Optima HR55 aerial device that draws power from a HyPower SmartPTO (Power Take Off) from Viatec. The SmartPTO replaces a conventional, mechanical PTO that’s powered by an internal combustion generator. In so doing, it avoids a loud idling engine while reducing utility workers’ exposure to toxic exhaust fumes and the heavy particulate emissions matter with idling diesels (even with Tier V standards).
“Our collaboration with Mack Trucks represents continued progress in zero-emissions utility vehicles,” explains Tyler Schwingler, Terex Utilities product marketing manager. “By combining our industry-leading Optima HR55 aerial device with Mack’s innovative MD7 Electric chassis, we’re providing utility companies with a solution that doesn’t compromise on performance or capability while supporting their sustainability goals.”
In addition helping meet the company’s ESG goals, the Mack MD Electric is also equipped with the advanced 3rd Eye digital platform, which integrates AI-driven camera systems to enhance safety and productivity. With up to six HD cameras that display a real-time, 460-degree view on a 7-inch in-cab monitor. The bird’s-eye view all but eliminates blind spots when reversing and moving through high-traffic job sites.
“This electric bucket truck represents the next natural step in our commitment to sustainable transportation solutions,” says George Fotopoulos, vice president of E-mobility at Mack Trucks. “Our lightweight electric chassis provides the capability to handle more demanding applications, and when combined with Terex’ expertise in utility equipment, we’re delivering a solution that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in zero tailpipe emissions utility vehicles.”
Terex will be bringing its new Mack MD Electric-based utility bucket truck to this year’s Work Truck Week at the Indianapolis Convention Center March 8-11.
Electrek’s Take
If all this news sounds familiar, that just means you’ve been paying attention. We covered the HyPower SmartPTO a few months ago in a story about Enwin Utilities. Those trucks were based on a Class 7 (33,000 lb. GVWR) International eMV Series BEV.
The International is a fine truck, of course – but the Mack MD Electric raises the bar a bit with more range than the eMV and more rear axle capacity than anything else in its class. The MD also has enough commonality with its HD cabs and chassis that parts availability seems to be top of the class. Pair that with parent company Volvo’s global reputation for quality and progressive ideologies and, well … let’s just say we all have our favorites.
SOURCE | PHOTOS: Mack Trucks, via TruckNews, Work Truck Online.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Tadano first showed its massive, 100-ton electric rough-terrain crane at last year’s ConExpo, promising the same lifting capacity as its 100-ton diesel counterpart. Now, we know a little more about this big lifter.
Officially dubbed the Tadano eGR-1000XLL-1 EVOLT, the big mobile crane ships with six lithium ion battery packs offering up to 226 kWh of power. Tadano says that’s good enough for up to seven hours of continuous operation in a single spot, or or up five hours of continuous operation and five-and-a-half miles of driving before it runs out of juice.
Re-juicing (?) the big crane is achieved with a standard CCS/J1772 DC fast charger with speeds up to 150 kW. That’s enough, Tadano says, to fully charge the eGR-1000XLL-1’s batteries in under two hours, or overnight on an 80A 220/240V AC charger … but all that is besides the point.
Grid-connected power for 24/7 use
The EVOLT’s real superpower isn’t its big battery or 100-ton lifting capacity. Instead, it’s the crane’s ability to operate 24/7 when it’s on grid power. If the job site loses power or power has to be shut down as part of regular operations, the crane can keep things moving under battery power for up to seven hours. It can even be connected to mobile charging stations if seven hours isn’t enough, or driven a few miles back to grid power to be charged up.
And, with 4x4x4 drive, those few miles don’t have to be paved … or even cleared, probably, making the big Tadano perfect for disaster recovery efforts.
“We are very confident in the investment we’ve made in this crane,” said Dean Barley, president and CEO at Tadano America of the 100-ton-capacity machine. “This crane has been tested and retested. We wanted to make sure that the first fully electric rough terrain (RT) crane in North America meets all the requirements of the market.”
Being fully electric, the EVOLT is quiet enough to work at night in urban and sensitive environments – and, because it produces no exhaust emissions, can also be tasked with indoor work in hangars and stadiums where diesel emissions would quickly pose a substantial health risk.
Speaking of health risks, swinging up to 100 tons of material around can be dangerous work. That’s where Tadano’s Lift Visualizer and AML Crane Control safety systems come into play:
LIFT VISUALIZER
The eGR-1000XLL-1 also offers Lift Visualizer to enhance safety and efficiency. This feature utilizes a suspended load monitoring camera, allowing operators to monitor suspended loads directly from above. Particularly useful in blind spots such as rooftop work, the Lift Visualizer pulls critical lift information from the AML control system and displays it on the video screen, including radius, capacities and load, among others, to improve efficiency and safety for the operator.AML CRANE CONTROL
The AML Control System delivers dependable crane control and monitoring solutions, ensuring safe and efficient performance during crane operations. This system incorporates the latest advancements from Tadano rough terrain cranes, featuring an enhanced operator interface, a broad range of functionalities and the renowned reliability and ease of use characteristic of Tadano products. The system facilitates time and cost savings through straightforward on-board diagnostics, improved settings and easily adjustable lifting limits.
In addition to offering the ability for construction crews to bid on work they simply couldn’t get without an electric option, the company says its new EVOLT models will reduce operating costs on an annual basis by about 35% compared to the diesel-powered version of the same crane. That estimate includes costs of fuel and electricity, as well as maintenance and downtime costs at an estimated 1,200 engine hours per year.
You can check out the full specs on the eGR-1000XLL-1 EVOLT, below, then let us know what you think of Tadano’s latest HDEV in the comments.
Tadano eGR-1000XLL-1 full specs
| Capacity Class | 90.7 tonnes | 100 tons |
| Main Boom Length | max 51 meters | 167 ft. |
| Boom Extension | max 17.7 meters | 58 ft. |
| Max. Tip Height | 68.3 meters | 224 ft. |
| Outrigger Bases | 7.33 x 7.33 meters | 24 x24 ft. |
| Hoist Line Pull | 9,090 kg | 20,040 lbs. |
| Max. Radius | 57.91 meters | 190 ft. |
| Dimensions | 15.18 m L | 50 ft. |
| 3.31 m W | 10′ 10″ | |
| 3.74 m H | 12′ 4″ | |
| Axles2 | 2 | |
| Drive | 4x4x4 | |
SOURCE | IMAGES: Tadano.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Massachusetts is launching a first-of-its-kind statewide vehicle-to-everything (V2X) pilot program. This two-year initiative, backed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), aims to deploy 100 bidirectional chargers to homes, school buses, municipal, and commercial fleet participants across the state.
These bidirectional chargers will enable EVs to serve as mobile energy storage units, collectively providing an estimated 1.5 MW of new storage capacity. That means EVs won’t just be getting power – they’ll be giving it back to the grid, helping to balance demand and support renewable energy use. The program is also focused on ensuring that low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to this cutting-edge tech.
The Massachusetts pilot is one of the largest state-led V2X initiatives in the US and is designed to tackle key challenges in deploying bidirectional charging technology. By strategically placing these chargers in a variety of settings, the program aims to identify and resolve barriers to wider adoption of V2X technology.
Massachusetts EV owners and fleet operators enrolled in the program will get bidirectional chargers capable of both vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and backup power operations at no cost. Here’s what they stand to gain:
- No-cost charging infrastructure: Bidirectional charging stations and installation are fully covered for participants.
- Grid resilience: With an estimated 1.5 MW of new flexible and distributed storage assets, the program strengthens Massachusetts’ energy infrastructure.
- Clean energy integration: V2G technology allows EVs to charge when renewable energy is available and discharge stored energy when it’s not, supporting the state’s clean energy goals.
- Backup power: EV batteries can be used as backup power sources during outages.
- Revenue opportunities: Some participants can earn money by sending stored energy back to the grid.
Clean energy solutions firm Resource Innovations and vehicle-grid integration tech company The Mobility House are leading the program’s implementation. “With the charging infrastructure provided through this program, we’re eliminating financial barriers and enabling school districts, homeowners, and fleets to access reliable backup power,” said Kelly Helfrich of Resource Innovations. “We aim to create a scalable blueprint for V2X programs nationwide.”
“Bidirectional charging benefits vehicle owners by providing backup power and revenue opportunities while strengthening the grid for the entire community,” added Russell Vare of The Mobility House North America.
The program is open for enrollment now through June 2025. For more details, visit the MassCEC V2X Program webpage. A list of eligible bidirectional vehicles can be found on that page.
Read more: Cambridge’s new solar VPPA is the largest ever by any US city
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports11 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway