With 2023 on course to be the hottest year in recorded history, and Waco especially susceptible to heat waves, drought, floods and crop damage, many Wacoans are eager to cut their personal greenhouse gas emissions. Since driving an electric vehicle is one of the most powerful and practical means of cutting emissions, a status update on EVs for the Waco area is warranted.
EV prevalence surge: Global EV sales in 2022 were 8.9% of 81.6 million total vehicle sales, according to the authoritative International Energy Agency. But the good news is the agency’s projection that the 8.9% will swell to 50% of new car sales by 2030.
Zooming in, McLennan County has 910 total EV registrations, ranking 25th of the state’s 254 counties. This registration count is not surprising, as an EV can be encountered on essentially every trip within the county in recent months. The dominant models, by decreasing frequency, are Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S, Bolt EV, Tesla Model X, Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Leaf, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Ford F-150 Lightning Truck and Bolt EUV.
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EV selection growth: The growing variety of EVs has contributed to flourishing sale numbers. A remarkable proliferation of available models is observed in the U.S.: from 28 in 2020 to 88 in 2021 to 117 in 2023. Buyers may now select from electric compacts, sedans, SUVs, crossovers, pick-up trucks, hatchbacks, sports cars and luxury vehicles.
A 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning EV is offered for sale July 18 at a dealership in Niles, Ill. Nine Waco dealerships are now offering electric vehicles.
Waco dealerships: The most exciting news in this EV update is the acknowledgment of the EV revolution by multiple Waco car dealerships. Back in 2020, only AutoNation Chevrolet was pro-EV, with the Chevy Bolt EV in stock. Now nine dealerships actively sell EVs, are informed and enthusiastic, and offer public charging, detailed below:
- AutoNation Chevrolet: No EVs now; Chevy Equinox EV & Blazer EV for release soon; no public chargers.
- Bird-Kultgen Ford: Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning Pickup; Level 2 charger for employees and customers only, during business hours.
- Douglass Nissan: Nissan Ariya and Leaf; public Level 2 charger, during business hours.
- Douglass Subaru: Subaru Solterra, Limited and Touring; public chargers, Level 2 and 3 (Blink), during business hours.
- Jeff Hunter Toyota: Toyota bZ4X, none in stock, “one sold”; no public charger.
- Mercedes-Benz of Waco: EQE SUV, EQE Sedan, EQB SUV; public Level 2 charger, during business hours.
- Richard Karr Cadillac: Lyriq Sport 1 and Hummer EV; public charger Level 3 (EvGO), during business hours.
- University Kia: EV6 and Niro EV; Level 3 public charger, 1 plug, during business hours.
- Volkswagen of Waco: ID.4 Pro S; Level 3 public charger, during business hours.
- Tesla availability: Although Waco has no Tesla facilities, one may go to tesla.com to reserve a test drive, or configure and order a Tesla, to be picked up in Austin or Fort Worth. Service is conveniently scheduled through the Tesla app, and performed at one’s home or at a dealership.
Abundant pre-owned EVs: Used EVs offer excellent value, with only 20 moving parts, and some fleet vehicles reaching 300,000 miles. A Carvana search retrieved an abundant 985 full-electric vehicles for sale.
EV charging advancement: Charging of electric vehicles is undergoing extensive improvement on two fronts. First, a national Level 3 rapid charge network is being completed, with chargers every 50 miles along U.S. interstate highways. In Texas, these will be augmented by installation of Level 3 chargers near all 254 county seats.
The second upgrade is the transition of CCS charger hardware (non-Tesla) in North America to the Tesla chargers, now termed the North America Charging Standard (NACS). So almost all EV manufacturers will provide adapters to allow drivers to plug their non-Teslas into Tesla superchargers. Ultimately, most EVs will have a Tesla port, allowing them to access the Tesla supercharger network, the best charging experience available.
Waco charging progress: The Tesla Supercharger complex (22 plugs) near Collin Street Bakery and the Electrify America station (12 plugs for non-Teslas) at the Bellmead Walmart have been present since the 2020 EV review. The most significant addition is the public non-Tesla charger complex (seven CCS, one CHAdeMO) at the Road Ranger gas station in Lacy Lakeview.
In addition, seven automobile dealerships offer Level 2 and 3 chargers during business hours (see above). Approximately a dozen hotels, RV parks and lofts offer charging, primarily for customers, ranging from 220V outlets to Level 2 and 3 chargers. And the Magnolia headquarters downtown offers two Level 2 chargers during business hours. Several convenience stores and gas stations have announced chargers “coming soon.”
Finally, the city of Waco is requesting proposals for commercial installation of Level 2 or 3 chargers at the convention center, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, Cameron Park Zoo, five community centers and four library branches.
But to stimulate vital EV adoption by those without garages for common home charging, the city should pursue charger placement in sites of longer parking duration, including apartments and housing projects, large grocery stores, major employers, local hospitals, Baylor University and McLennan Community College. How can these two universities have no EV chargers in 2023?
EV cost decline: Although EVs have typically been more expensive than comparable internal combustion energy vehicles, the following are examples of reasonably priced current or upcoming EVs: Nissan Leaf $25,100, 2023 Chevy Bolt EV $26,600, Chevy Equinox SUV $35,000, Tesla Model 3 $39,000 and Ford F-150 Lightning pickup $52,000. But life-cycle cost, wherein savings in fuel, lack of oil changes, and less maintenance, makes EVs even more competitive with traditional vehicles.
Federal EV tax credit: The current eligibility rules for EV tax credits are complex and include income limits. However, the following are the new EVs eligible at this time (subject to change): Cadillac Lyriq ($7,500 credit), Chevy Bolt EV or EUV ($7,500), Chevy Blazer EV ($7,500), Chevy Equinox EV ($7,500), Chevy Silverado EV ($7,500), Ford F-150 Lightning ($7,500), Ford Mustang Mach-E ($3,750), Ford E-Transit ($3,750), Nissan Leaf S and Leaf SV Plus ($3,750), Rivian R1T and R1S ($3,750), most Tesla Models ($7,500), Volkswagen ID.4 ($7,500). An important caveat: beginning January 2024, the tax credit may be applied immediately at the point of sale to lower purchase cost, rather than during later tax preparation. For used vehicles, a tax credit up to $4,000, or 30% of the vehicle cost, is also available.
Texas light-duty vehicle incentive program: In addition, the state of Texas currently has an EV incentive unknown to most Texans. The rules of the program are lengthy, so the highlights follow. The new light-duty EV must be 10,000 pounds or less, be purchased on or after Sept. 1, 2023, and be registered in the state of Texas. Individuals, corporations, organizations or governments are eligible. Grants are $2,500, first come, first served, and the deadline is March 22, 2024. If eligible, apply quickly at tceq.com.
Summary: With the major car manufacturers and dozens of governments worldwide committed to ending internal combustion engine vehicle production, the future of light-duty vehicles is clearly the electric vehicle. With wide selection, comfortable range, competitive life-cycle cost, improved charger networks, and federal and state incentives, now is the time to enjoy a clean electric vehicle — and contribute to fighting the climate crisis.
Alan D. Northcutt is a retired Waco physician and director of a local grassroots climate action and education group, Waco Friends of the Climate. Email him at anorthc@aol.com.
