AAR48— The Real Cost of Going Electric
The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom
When an EV doesn't make sense
Evan warns against relying on fast chargers, living rurally without home charging, or needing large trucks/SUVs.
Thinking about buying an EV? In this episode, Evan breaks down the actual financial impact of owning an electric vehicle—using his real numbers from owning a Tesla Model 3 since December 2023. Instead of debating whether EVs are “cool” or “annoying,” this episode stays focused on the money: upfront price differences, tax credits, charging costs, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and the big unknown everyone worries about—battery replacement.
You’ll also hear the practical decision filters Evan would use if he were buying again: how much you drive, whether you can charge at home , what incentives exist in your state, and when an EV simply doesn’t make sense.
What You Will Learn
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Why EVs often cost more upfront
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How tax credits and discounts can dramatically change the purchase price
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Evan’s real purchase numbers
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The true cost per mile: home charging vs supercharging vs gas
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How much home charging setup can cost
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Why EV insurance can be higher—and how to avoid getting surprised
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Where EVs can save you money
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The real “unknowns”: battery replacement risk, degradation, depreciation
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Who an EV makes sense for financially
Timestamps
00:00 — Upfront cost: EV MSRP vs gas + typical price gap
03:53 — Incentives: federal/state credits and why they change
04:39 — Evan’s purchase numbers
07:05 — Buying too early vs buying when it’s actually sustainable
09:39 — Fuel math: EV vs gas cost per mile + fast-charging caveat
13:06 — Home charging setup
15:20 — Insurance: why it’s higher & how Evan shopped it down
18:15 — Maintenance: oil/brakes/drivetrain + tire wear reality
21:04 — Battery replacement fear, degradation, and what’s changed
22:46 — Depreciation & Evan’s value tracking
25:08 — Charging options: Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3
28:41 — Monthly impact: ~ $90–$100/month savings estimate
30:09 — Financial “whys”: why the Tesla was worth it
32:31 — Who EVs make sense for
Resources Mentioned
The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/
Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com
Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast!
Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time.
Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening.
Today’s show is sponsored by:
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Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com
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