Which Tesla Model 3 Is the One for You?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Tesla Model 3 is a top contender for the most popular electric vehicle of the year. Why? The Tesla Model 3 is affordable, has great standard battery range, and includes many of Tesla’s fun features. The Tesla Model 3 is currently the quintessential modern electric compact car. Which Model 3 trim is right for you?

What are the Tesla Model 3 trims?

Car and Driver’s 2019 Tesla Model 3 Tester Hasn’t Been Cheap to Maintain | Tesla

The Tesla Model 3 comes in three different trims. The trims are the Standard Range Plus, Long Range, and Performance trim. The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus costs $39,990. The Long Range costs $49,990. The Performance trim costs $56,990.

Tesla models are eligible for federal and local electric vehicle tax incentives that amount to tax credits worth thousands of dollars. According to Kelly Blue Book, after potential savings, both the Standard Range Plus and Long Range models have purchase costs under the average new electric vehicle price in 2021. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are Tesla’s most affordable models produced thus far.

The Tesla Model 3 Standard Rage Plus is affordable and offers an estimated 263 miles of battery range. Tax incentives can bring the Standard Range Plus model’s price down to under $34,000. Tesla Model 3 trims with a total estimated battery range of over 300 miles will cost above $45,000, including most incentives.

Which Tesla Model 3 trim has the most range?

A red Tesla Model 3 electric car is seen at the Automobile exhibition area during the third China International Import Expo CIIE in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 6, 2020.
A Tesla Model 3 | Xinhua/Ding Ting via Getty Images

When it comes to choosing an electric vehicle, battery range is a huge part of the decision-making process. Today a decent electric vehicle battery range is upwards of 250 miles per single charge. All Tesla Model 3 trims provide a battery range of over 260 miles. Battery range isn’t a huge issue for any of the Model 3 trims.

The popular Ford Mustang Mach E’s entry-level trim, the Select trim, only offers an estimated 230 miles of range and starts at $42,895. The affordable Nissan Leaf EV’s Leaf S Plus trim offers a measly 226 estimated miles of battery range. Electric vehicle owners often have to trade affordability for practicality when choosing their vehicle. The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is the best of both worlds.

If you are looking for a vehicle with a superior battery range, then the Long Range model is the way to go. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range can travel an estimated 353 miles on a single charge. If you live in an area that is included in the Tesla Supercharger network, then electric vehicle ownership doesn’t get much better than with this trim. At $49,990 the Model 3 Long Range may seem overpriced, but if you are looking for an EV that can go the distance the Long Range gets the job done.

What is the best Model 3 trim?

Tesla China-made Model 3 vehicles which will be exported to Europe at Waigaoqiao port in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 19, 2020.
Tesla Model 3 electric cars | Xinhua/Wang Xiang via Getty Images

The Long Range model is impressive, but the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus trim should provide more than enough range for the average consumer. 250 miles of battery range is still considered as competitive today, making the Tesla Model 3 easily one of the most capable EVs. Its accessible entry-level price makes the Tesla Model 3 second only to the exciting Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV.

The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus provides the best value for new electric vehicle owners looking to experience an EV. It includes all the novelty of a Tesla Model coupled with great battery range for a price that is lower than the average new vehicle price for 2021. Until Tesla releases its new hatchback model, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is the best electric car under $40,000.

RELATED: The Tesla Model 3 Could Be Your Best Friend in a Climate Disaster

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Ford Mustang Mach-E Deliveries Delayed by at Least Six Weeks

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Automakers have been struggling to make new cars for the past year. The pandemic followed by the high demand for semiconductors led to a shortage of buyers and resources. And while the chip shortage has affected automakers differently, delays have become more frequent than ever. And the most recent car impacted by all this is the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Mustang Mach-E | The Ford Motor Company

Mustang Mach-E’s delayed by at least six weeks for some customers

For anyone who ordered their Mustang Mach-E between July 5th and October 1st should expect their new ‘stang to arrive a minimum of six weeks later than expected. Unfortunately, there’s no maximum wait time, so buyers could be twiddling their thumbs for longer than that. Caused by the lack of chips, the owners will be made aware of the status of their vehicle once the car is all put together.

When reporting to The Verge, Ford had this to say on the matter: “The global semiconductor shortage continues to affect global automakers and other industries in all parts of the world. We are working closely with all of our key suppliers to address production constraints tied to this global semiconductor shortage so we can continue to build Mach-E vehicles, and get them to our customers as quickly as we can.”

Ford is no stranger to the chip shortage, with over 60,000 F-150s waiting for chips. But while the automaker attempts to get their cars off the production line as soon as possible, these delays aren’t all bad news.

The delay isn’t all bad for affected buyers

Two 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E models charging
Two 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E models charging | Allison Barfield

There is a silver lining in all this, however. Customers affected by the Mustang Mach-E delay will be receiving 250kw of free charging on the Ford Blue Oval charge network. This is on top of the 250kw they’ll receive when purchasing a Mustang Mach-E, which makes for a total of 500kw. After some rough paper napkin math, that adds up to around 1,250 free miles of driving, though afterward, it’s all on you.

Not only that, but the Blue Oval charging network is the largest in North America. With over 13,500 stations and counting, many of the stations are complimentary. And you can plot your next road trip using the FordPass app, which can help plot the route according to your specific vehicle’s range. Long story short, what’d cost a gas car about $100 you can do for free.

The Mustang Mach-E will be worth the wait

Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford

Starting at $42,895 (or as low as $35,395 after federal tax credits), the Mustang Mach-E boasts proper sportscar numbers in a new, four-door look. While many Ford fanatics had strong opinions when the car first debuted, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already ordered one. Therefore, those opinions shouldn’t matter to you now.

It’s the specs and speeds that hooked you to this electric vehicle. For starters, a second electric motor is available in every trim, AWD costs just $2,700 more. That, paired with the top-level GT package (starting just shy of $60,000), propels the 5000lb Mach-E to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. But if it’s range you’re after, look no further than the California Route 1 package, which is able to fo 305 miles per charge. However, contrary to the name, the Mach-E can’t make it all 620 miles.

Ford is even throwing in their semi-autonomous driving software BlueCruise (at an additional $600). This Level 2 Autonomous Driving system allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel while the car is cruising on highways. However, their eyes still need to be on the road, the car tracking them using cameras. A bit creepy that you’re Ford is watching you, but necessary as the technology isn’t completely independent.

Waiting is always the hardest part, and absence makes the heart grow fonder. But because nobody could stop buying phones and computers at the start of the pandemic. So, because of the chip shortage, you’ll just have to wait a little longer for your Ford Mustang Mach-E.

RELATED: Why Is Ford Only Making 50,000 Mustang Mach-E Vehicles in the First Year?

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5 Best AWD Electric Vehicles of 2021 According to TrueCar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Perhaps you’re in the market for an electric vehicle (EV) but require one with all-wheel drive (AWD). If that’s the case, TrueCar’s list of the best AWD electric vehicles makes for a good place to start. From the 2021 Tesla Model X to the 2021 Tesla Model Y, these new EVs make up TrueCar’s top picks for the best AWD electric vehicles of 2021.

The 2021 Tesla Model X is a midsize SUV with AWD

2021 Tesla Model X | Tesla

Price: $99,990 – $119,990
Range: 360 miles

The 2021 Tesla Model X is an electric midsize SUV that’s standard with all-wheel drive. It also offers up to 360 miles of all-electric driving range and comes stocked with people-pleasing features like tri-zone temperature controls and a 17-inch touchscreen display. Perhaps the only downside to the 2021 Tesla Model X is its price. Starting at just under $100,000, the 2021 Tesla Model X may be one of the best AWD electric vehicles of 2021 but it’s also among the most expensive.

The 2021 Tesla Model 3 is one of the best AWD electric vehicles

Price: $49,990 – $56,990
Range: 353 miles

The good news is that if you have your heart set on a new Tesla, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 was also included among TrueCar’s picks for the best AWD electric vehicles of 2021. However, unlike the 2021 Tesla Model X, the Model 3 isn’t standard with all-wheel drive. Fortunately, a 2021 Tesla Model 3 AWD starts at $49,990. That price tag also gets you features like basic autopilot, over-the-air updates, and more.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an electric SUV with AWD

Price: $42,895 – $59,900
Range: 270 miles

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E also landed a top spot on TrueCar’s list of the best AWD electric vehicles of 2021. This electric SUV is new to the scene and boasts a “whisper-quiet powertrain” and “agile handling,” TrueCar reports. It also offers up to 270 miles of all-electric range when you opt for an all-wheel drive model. Even better, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is eligible for up to $7,500 in federal EV tax credits.

The 2021 Polestar 2 is an AWD electric sports sedan

Price: $45,900 – $49,900
Range: 265 miles

The 2021 Polestar 2 landed the second spot on TrueCar’s list of the best AWD electric vehicles of 2021. This AWD electric sports sedan comes loaded with safety tech. It also features a practical liftgate, and offers up “near-instant acceleration,” TrueCar reports. According to the organization, the most popular Polestar 2 model is the Launch Edition Fastback, which comes standard with an all-electric powertrain and all-wheel drive.

The 2021 Tesla Model Y is the best AWD electric vehicle

A red 2021 Tesla Model Y driving around a bend
2021 Tesla Model Y | Tesla

Price: $53,990 – $60,990
Range: 326 miles

At the top of TrueCar’s list of the best AWD electric vehicles is the 2021 Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model Y is an AWD SUV that comes equipped with a fully electric powertrain that boasts a maximum range of 326 miles and can be charged either at home or at an EV charging station The 2021 Tesla Model Y is not only standard with all-wheel drive but also features a high-tech cabin and a slew of other great features, including an expansive glass roof and a 15-inch touchscreen display.

If you’re in the market for an electric car with all-wheel drive, TrueCar’s list of the best AWD electric vehicles of 2021 makes for a good place to start. To find out which new EV is the best fit for you, we recommend taking each of these options out for a test drive.

RELATED: The Most Reliable 2021 AWD SUVs Recommended by Consumer Reports

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A Ford Mustang Mach-E Owner’s Range Anxiety Turned to Panic When He Couldn’t Find a Charging Station on a Busy Route

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Nearly everyone who’s ever driven a car has worried about running out of fuel. At the moment, it’s much easier to refuel a gas-powered car than an EV. Gas stations abound, while electric chargers are still few and far between. Despite EVs’ detractors, Tesla has put a lot of work into establishing a charging station network that any electric car can use. But the future didn’t arrive soon enough for one Ford Mustang Mach-E driver in the Northeast.

This Ford Mustang Mach-E driver’s range anxiety took a turn for the worse

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford Motor Company

Similar to the feeling of running out of gas, range anxiety can set in when an EV driver realizes the vehicle’s charge is approaching zero and there’s no charging station in sight. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric vehicle. And if the next charging station isn’t within the vehicle’s range, the situation can cause anxiety.

Such was the case for writer Dan Primack. He expected to arrive at his destination without recharging on a busy route from Boston to New York City. He reported for Axios about his struggle to find a charging station along Interstate 95. At the first rest stop (charge level 30%), Primack couldn’t locate any non-Tesla chargers. At two more rest stops (26% and 23%), Primack couldn’t charge and wound up visiting a nearby parking garage to refuel his Mach-E.

And upon arriving in NYC, he found that the charging spot he had reserved wasn’t working, and he’d have to recharge his Mach-E at the same place on his way back to Boston.

How can EV drivers avoid range anxiety?

Primack set out on a 200-mile journey with 215 miles of range on his Ford Mustang Mach-E — a recipe for disaster if a single inconvenience arose. Planning to travel on I-95, notorious for constant construction, should have set off some alarm bells. But Primack planned to visit rest stops, even if they didn’t pan out.

“EV owners not only need to plan but also need backup plans when the original ones fall through. At least for now,” he noted at the end of his harrowing story.

A trip of that distance on a similar charge level is ambitious, but the rest stops along Primack’s route advertised EV chargers. Until electric cars double in range, charging stations will be a significant concern for any trip longer than a couple of hours.

But in a Tesla EV, you’ll likely encounter at least one charging station no matter where you go. The company has already installed over 25,000 Superchargers along major highways in every contiguous U.S. state. 

Expanding Tesla Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs

But for non-Tesla vehicles, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the situation is more complex. Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced on Twitter that Tesla would open its Superchargers to non-Tesla vehicles later this year.

Reactions from Tesla owners on Twitter were mostly negative because they felt their EV purchases helped build the Superchargers, and they didn’t want to share them. But for Tesla, expanding the availability makes sense because the company can collect recharging fees from the rest of the EV market.

Tesla has already set the benchmark for other EV manufacturers with the Supercharger network, and it appears Musk’s automaker will do it again soon with the redesigned Model S. Boasting a range of over 500 miles, the new model will reduce range anxiety significantly. Even if the Model S didn’t have access to Superchargers, finding a station within eight or nine hours of driving would be trivial.

RELATED: The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Will Have a Problem on Road Trips Unless You Upgrade to This Package

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