Best Electric Cars and SUVs You Can Buy Under $50k

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Some of the best electric cars you can buy might cost you a little extra cash. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model 3, and Volkswagen ID.4 fall into that category. These electric vehicles are right around $50,000 and have a range of over 200 miles.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the best electric cars

Mustang Mach-E GT is one of the best electric cars you can buy for under $50k | Ford

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the coolest new electric vehicles to hit the market. Autoblog notes that the Mach-E stands out for a few reasons. The styling, performance, technology, and high-quality cabin materials. While the Mustang Mach-E isn’t a Mustang, it stands on its own just fine. It offers a backseat with enough room for cargo and smaller passengers, but it can be a bit cramped.

The infotainment center is simple and works well, plus the range is pretty solid at 211 miles for the rear-wheel-drive option to 300 miles for the all-wheel drive. The base MSRP is $43,995, but it is still eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. That means you can add some additional upgrades and still be under $50,000.

The best electric cars start with the Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 doesn’t need much of an introduction. It is Tesla’s most affordable electric vehicle and has the Tesla Supercharger network to back it up. The Model 3 can go further than any of the other vehicles, even on the base model. Tesla offers a ton of technology and safety features that other automakers can’t hold a candle to. However, Tesla has been having some quality control issues lately. However, Tesla fans do not waiver in their undying love for the EV, which says a lot about the company.

The Tesla Model 3 has one of the best ranges in the bunch. The Standard Range Plus model gets 236 miles, while the Performance gets 315 miles. The Model 3 Long Range gets 353 miles. This Tesla starts at $39,990 and is not eligible for the federal tax credit. It is one of the best electric cars out there, and its popularity speaks for itself.

A newcomer to the group is the Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 is a solid choice, albeit not the most exciting. Autoblog says it is a “conventional compact crossover,” which is as compelling as it sounds. The cargo area and back seat offer a lot of room where the other two options lack a bit. Not many EVs can offer cargo space like this at all. Right now, the ID.4 is only available in rear-wheel-drive, but the all-wheel drive option is on its way later this year.

The Volkswagen ID.4 blends in with conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, which might appeal to some apprehensive EV buyers. It wasn’t the most exciting to drive but offers a range of 250 miles. The starting MSRP is $39,995 without the destination charge, but it is still eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit for now. The ID.4 is one of the best electric cars under $50,000.

Overall, electric vehicles might cost a bit more upfront but start to pay for themselves later on. Tesla is opening the Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles soon, which will alleviate range anxiety. Plus, the electric vehicle tax incentive might get a refresh soon enough. If you are thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle, these are some of the best electric cars on the market right now.

RELATED: Best Electric Cars and SUVs You Can Buy Under $35k

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Why It’s Cheaper to Buy an Electric Car in Russia

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Electric cars are paving the way toward a greener, cleaner future. But as of right now, electric cars are somewhat expensive, with very few costing less than $20,000. That is unless you live in Russia. Not only are used electric cars generally cheaper, but new EVs also fetch a lower price, partly due to lower demand.

Used Nissan Leaf In Russia | Yekaterina ShtukinaTASS via Getty Images

Used electric cars are cheaper in the Far East

The first thing to remember is that Russia is massive. So massive that the city of Khabarovsk, which shares a border with China, is isolated from the capital, Moscow. The people there are poorer, and because the government wants to stimulate growth in those rural regions of the country, electricity is cheaper.

For context, the cheapest state to use electricity in is Louisiana, where it costs $9.37 per kilowatt-hour. In Khabarovsk, however, electricity costs 473 rubles (or $6.45) per 100 kilowatt-hours. In short, Louisiana residents spend $937 on the same amount of electricity that Khabarovsk residents use for just $6.45.

And that’s not all. Because Khabarovsk shares a border with China and is only a stone’s throw from Japan, they get some of the leftover electric cars. Old, exported Nissan Leafs will cost anywhere between 40,000 and 50,000 rubles according to Bloomberg. Throw that in a currency converter, and you’re looking at $500 and $700 electric cars over there.

So used cars are cheaper to buy and cheaper to charge, but even the new cars sold in Russia have a lower price tag than in America. And that’s all thanks to the government subsidiaries, which are in some ways better than the ones in the states.

New electric car subsidies are lucrative

Tesla Model S electric car at Moscow Tesla Club
Tesla Model S electric car at Moscow Tesla Club Sergei FadeichevTASS via Getty Images

Just like the tax credits we use here, these Russian government subsidiaries are meant to incentivize people to buy electric cars. According to Reuters, the government plans to reimburse 25% any electric car purchase, with a maximum refund of 625,000 rubles.

That’s $8,500, which is $1,000 more than the Federal subsidiaries in the US. Provided, there are state tax credits here as well. But if you live somewhere that doesn’t have those, then a new electric car would be cheaper in the motherland.

Though, if you’re buying a cheap EV in Russia, say a 2022 Nissan Leaf rather than a used one, then you only get 25% back. Whereas, in America, you get at least $7,500 no matter how cheap that electric car is. In other words, it depends on which electric car you buy, but there’s still some incentive for the Russian populous to go green.

It sounds like an EV paradise, where everything is cheaper, including electricity. But while it all sounds nice, in actuality, Russia is far from eco-friendly.

Compared to the rest of the world, Russia is lagging behind

Charging points for electric vehicles in Moscow, Russia
Charging points for electric vehicles in Moscow, Russia | Mikhail PochuyevTASS via Getty Images

Of the 55 million cars darting around Russia, 11,000 of them are presumed to be electric. That’s less than .0002% of cars in Russia, whereas, in the states, there are nearly 2 million electric cars on the road. Though even that many EVs only make up .0072% of the cars registered in America. While the EV to gas car ratios are small, that’s still more than a 1.9 million car difference.

And then there’s Russia’s charging network, which is microscopic. There are around 1,000 charging stations. This doesn’t include wall outlets that can be used to charge certain electric cars, but that’s nothing compared to America’s 42,000 chargers.

Russia’s plan to cut its carbon emissions isn’t too ambitious either. They aim to cut their emissions to 70% of 1990 levels by 2030. Meanwhile, some countries and automakers plan to ban gasoline cars altogether, while Russia will still be one of the largest exporters of gas and oil.

So what we have is low cost due to low demand. Sure, owning a Lada, in the long run, might not be as cheap as an electric car (in certain regions). But there’s no shortage of gasoline in Russia. Unlike their charging network, which is next to nonexistent.

RELATED: Could Tesla Build a Factory in Russia?

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What Credit Score Is Needed to Qualify for a New Car Lease?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you lease a car, your credit score is a large factor when it comes to getting approved by the leasing company. And while you don’t need to have a perfect score and a spotless credit history to lease a car, the higher the credit score the better. But what kind of credit score is the leasing company looking for?

The minimum credit score needed to lease a car can vary

A leasing sign is displayed in a window at a General Motors dealership. | (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

When leasing a car, the minimum credit score that is required can vary from dealer to dealership, reports Car and Driver. However, the typical minimum score needed is 620 as that’s what most leasing companies will look for. A higher credit score in the 620 to 670 range is more favorable when being able to lease a car, but if you want to qualify for special rates or offers, then a 680 to 739 is considered ideal by most dealerships standards.

Why is a good credit score so important when leasing a car?

A Ford car showroom promotes the sale of private leases.
A Ford car showroom promotes the sale of private leases. | (Photo by Michel Porro/Getty Images)

When you fill out a credit application at the dealership when you want to lease a car, there are certain factors that leasing companies look for. According to Experian, your credit score is the first thing that they check as that shows how much of a risk you are. The general thought is that the higher the score, the more likely it is that you have made all of your payments on time have a low debt-to-income ratio.

Having a good credit score will not only get you approved for a car lease, but it will also grant you access to lower money factor rates, which is equivalent to interest on a traditional car loan. With a lower money factor, you’ll enjoy the benefit of lower monthly payments and less cost in the long run.

Can you lease a car with a bad credit score?

In this photo illustration, a businessman holds his smartphone showing a graph with the credit score.
In this photo illustration, a businessman holds his smartphone showing a graph with the credit score. | (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Yes. Experian reports that you can lease a car with a lower credit score rating, however, it could be a little more challenging. With a lower credit score (620 or lower), you could be limited in the selection of cars that you can lease as some of the cars that you might get approved will likely be base-trim models.

A lower credit score can also yield a higher money factor, which will in turn raise your monthly payment amount. However, you can easily lower those monthly payments by putting a larger down payment, also known as a “cap cost reduction.” If you are unable to lease a new car due to a bad credit rating, then you can always opt to transfer over someone else’s lease. Sites like Swapalease.com exist for lessees that are looking to get rid of their current lease by transferring it to someone else that can qualify for it.

Although a good credit score (620 and above) is highly recommended when leasing a car, it’s not always necessary. Also, you don’t need to have a perfect score and history, however, the cleaner it is the better.

RELATED: The Most Complained About Aspects of Leasing

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A Massive Crash Saved a Trucker From Choking to Death

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Practicing good car safety means keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Distracted driving causes many crashes each year, and phones aren’t the only culprit. Drivers sometimes preoccupy themselves with other tasks behind the wheel, such as applying makeup or eating.

Anything that distracts you from the road is a potential hazard, except in a few rare cases. According to the Daily Mail, one trucker’s healthy snack almost killed him until a huge crash saved his life. Here’s his story and how you can avoid such a harrowing accident.

A strange crash involving a trucker and his snack

A tractor-trailer and a concrete truck on Florida’s Turnpike | Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Pennsylvania trucker Richard Paylor was enjoying an apple behind the wheel of his tractor-trailer en route to his next destination. At some point, a part of the apple became stuck in Paylor’s throat. As he was trying to force the fragment from his windpipe, his 18-wheeler crashed into a concrete barrier. 

The resulting impact roused Paylor from unconsciousness and dislodged the chunk of apple. Fortunately, the crash only demolished the concrete barrier, and no other drivers were involved in the accident. Paylor was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. However, the resulting clean-up of the crash caused a five-hour traffic jam on the highway.

Another strange car crash took place at a pizzeria in 2013. An older driver’s foot accidentally got stuck on the pedal, causing him to crash through the restaurant’s front door. Bystanders and authorities reported that the driver was unharmed, apparently only concerned with ordering food.

And another older motorist drove through a Dunkin’ store a year earlier. We’re not sure if her motives were food-related because she crashed through an optometrist’s office soon after.

Also, too many fast-food wrappers and debris in your car can be hazardous. One woman’s car was so littered with drink containers that some of them became lodged under the pedals. A car filled with garbage isn’t just an eyesore: It can also be a problem for other drivers. Trash can fly out of rolled-down windows, potentially distracting motorists. A passing police officer might also charge you with littering. 

Tragically, not all of these collisions have such lighthearted endings. According to Healy Scanlon, a trucker in California experienced a similar problem as Paylor. A chunk of his lunch became lodged in his throat, and he passed out at the wheel.

He proceeded to hit a guardrail, a divider, and three other cars before regaining consciousness. As with Paylor, the final impact dislodged the food from the driver’s throat. Unfortunately, the crash caused two fatalities from a head-on collision with a BMW. The riders in the other two cars escaped with minor injuries.

What if you have to eat behind the wheel?

Sometimes it’s better to eat while driving and avoid passing out from hunger, especially for busy truckers. If you must eat behind the wheel, take small bites, and don’t eat anything that requires utensils. Even better, try to wait until red lights or traffic stops before taking the next bite.

You should also drink frequently while eating. Though this might result in more rest stops, it reduces your chances of choking on food. Meal replacement shakes are also a good alternative to eating and driving.

In the event of a crash, the resulting jolt could save you from choking. Still, you should do your best to avoid that kind of situation in the first place.

RELATED: 5 Dangerous Driving Distractions That Could Kill You

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