With over 60,000 electric vehicles already registered and 1,300 public charging ports available, Maryland drivers are clearly moving quickly toward EV adoption. And the state is encouraging this shift – Governor Larry Hogan recently announced a goal of 300,000 registered EVs by 2025. Helping enable this, legislation now requires that 24,000 public chargers be installed by 2025. Plus, Maryland offers incentives like excise tax credits and rebates for installing home charging stations.
Given this EV-friendly environment, you may be wondering which models are proving most popular so far. According to 2021 registration statistics from the Maryland Department of Transportation, the top 4 models making up over 80% of registrations are:
- Tesla Model S
- Nissan Leaf
- Chevrolet Bolt
- Ford F-150 Lightning
As an early adopter looking to join the EV revolution in Maryland, understanding the unique benefits, capabilities and limitations of these front runners will help you pick the right electric vehicle for your needs. So let‘s take a more in-depth look at each.
Tesla Cements Its Dominance With the Category-Defining Model S
Claiming the crown with over 30,000 vehicles registered in Maryland is Tesla, largely thanks to its groundbreaking Model S sedan. Nationwide, Tesla captured a record 65% share of the EV market last year, and the sleek and cutting-edge Model S has served as the brand‘s flagship since its debut back in 2012. Equipped with either dual or tri-motor AWD configurations producing up to 1,020 horsepower, this technological tour de force delivers sports car-like performance with seating for five.
Every Model S is equipped with a robust 100 kWh lithium-ion battery pack housed in the floor for optimum weight distribution. Depending on motor configuration, this enables an EPA-rated driving range between 350 to 405 miles between charges – the longest among current production EVs. Recharging the battery pack to 80% capacity can be accomplished in just 30 minutes using Tesla‘s vast Supercharger fast charging network – of which Maryland currently hosts around 45 locations.
And that‘s just the drivetrain – the Model S also packs more onboard computing power than most laptops to enable advanced autopilot driver assistance features like automatic lane changing, self-parking and full self-driving mode for city streets. However, utilizing all this performance and cutting-edge innovation does not come cheap. Model S pricing starts around $90,000 before savings incentives – quite a premium, but understandably so for those seeking the pinnacle of EV advancement.
The Humble Nissan Leaf Remains Accessibly Affordable
While Tesla steals the EV spotlight, the modest Nissan Leaf outsells all other electric cars worldwide thanks to its reasonable pricing and improved range. In 2021, Leaf registrations in Maryland trailed just behind Tesla, indicating its continuing popularity with mainstream buyers.
Unlike the larger, performance-oriented sedans and SUVs near the top of the EV sales charts, the Leaf is a compact five-door hatchback focused on efficiency and utility over excitement. Its humbler silhouette houses a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powering a 147 horsepower electric motor mounted up front. This configuration enables up to 149 miles range on a charge – not exceptional compared to pricier rivals but sufficient for most daily commuting needs.
For 2023, Nissan bumped up the Leaf‘s maximum range to 215 miles courtesy of a larger 62 kWh battery option. However this upgrade comes on higher trim Leaf Plus models priced above $32,000 – still cost effective compared to other EVs thanks to lower base MSRPs and qualifying for the full $7,500 federal tax credit. With no costly long range battery or all-wheel drive to pay for, the no-frills 2023 Leaf presents an accessible entry point to EV ownership at around $28,000 before savings.
The Chevy Bolt EV Wins On Range and Value
Following close behind Nissan is the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which claimed around 7% of Maryland‘s 2021 EV registrations. Like the Leaf, Chevrolet clearly targeted value and efficiency over performance with the Bolt. But despite its affordable $26,000 starting MSRP, Chevy didn‘t skimp on full charge driving range – all Bolt trim levels come equipped with a sizable 65 kWh lithium-ion battery enabling 259 miles between plugging in.
Helping stretch this charge is the Bolt‘s ABS plastic battery enclosure which saves weight and space compared to metal housings. The low mounted battery also provides a stable, balanced chassis with a center of gravity comparable to high performance sports cars. These optimizations provide peppy acceleration coupled with confident handling. Motor Trend recorded a 0 to 60 mph time of just 6.5 seconds – not bad for an economy EV. The efficient battery also enables rapid charging, regaining 100 miles of range in just 30 minutes on Level 3 DC fast chargers.
With 2023 models now eligible again for the $7,500 federal credit plus state incentives, the Chevy Bolt provides impressive EV range at an out-the-door price more comparable to compact internal combustion sedans. For budget-focused Maryland drivers needing to travel farther between charges, the Bolt is hard to beat.
Ford Brings Workhorse Credibility to EVs With the F-150 Lightning
While Tesla clearly dominates with tech-focused early adopters, America‘s best-selling pickup provides an on-ramp for more traditional truck owners to embrace battery power. With 3% of 2021 EV registrations in its first year, Ford‘s F-150 Lightning is already proving that going electric need not compromise capability.
Sharing the same essential chassis and components with gas-powered F-Series models, the Lightning matches conventionally powered F-150s with its 1,760 pound maximum payload rating and 10,000 pound towing capacity. Yet the dual inboard electric motors unlock superior performance, churning out a staggering 580 horsepower and 775 lb-ft torque – enough grunt to propel this 5,900 pound beast to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
This instantly available electric thrust makes trailering feel almost effortless. And unique features like the optional Pro Power Onboard generator to run electric tools on job sites demonstrate how EVs can better serve contractors and worksite applications. Daily driving range between charges remains respectable at 320 miles courtesy of Ford‘s extended range battery.
With pricing on par with well equipped gas-powered F-150 Lariat models, little compromise is required to go electric while retaining everything owners expect in their workhorse pickup. For Maryland‘s legions of truck fans, the Lightning is a revelation.
Which of These Market Leaders is Right For You?
With Tesla capturing the imagination of tech-focused early adopters, Nissan and Chevy making EV ownership affordable to mainstream buyers, and Ford revealing the immense potential of electric work vehicles, Maryland motorists have more choice than ever to ditch gas. Understanding how these sales leaders align with your driving needs and budget will lead you to EV satisfaction.
