Gas prices are going through the roof and many consumers are looking at electric vehicles as an alternative to gas-powered vehicles but are they actually affordable?

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Gas Prices in West Michigan

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Gas was averaging around $4.14 per gallon for regular but was averaging around $4.22 a week ago. Diesel was at $4.99 per gallon but now averaging around $4.90 per gallon. If you are using a higher grade of gas, mid-grade is averaging around $4.50 per gallon while premium is averaging around $4.83 per gallon.

The rising gas prices are extra tough on those who have to drive a work truck or any long distance to and from work, but even if you have a car that is good on gas it's becoming just as much of a pain at the pump as someone driving a full-size pickup.

Are There Affordable Electric Cars?

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Most people when thinking of electric cars think of Tesla since they have been the most marketed electric vehicle and you see them on the roads all the time. The Tesla brand is becoming a household name these days. The problem for the average person is, Tesla's prices range from $47,000 to $105,000.

The top three most affordable electric cars are as follows:

Nissan Leaf

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The Nissan Leaf starts around $28,000 but only goes 237 miles on a charge so these are more for people with a shorter commute. They do offer a larger battery pack but the price goes up significantly for the upgrade.

Mini Cooper SE

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The Mini Cooper SE starts at nearly $31,000 but only has 150 miles of battery life per charge. This means you will definitely need a home charging station and these go anywhere between $500 to $5000 plus installation. If you step up to the next level it could run you $12,000 to $35,000 for level 3 charging stations.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

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The next most affordable choice in electric cars is the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Bolt starts just above $31,000 and the battery charge can do around 278 miles on one charge. The 2022 model has been Chevrolet's strongest version so far.

Charging Stations for Electric Cars

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Charging stations depending upon where you live can be a problem. Aside from the expense of having one at home which seems necessary if you live in a rural or suburban area, sometimes a public charging station can be hard to find or inconvenient to your day.

According to WOOD, more electric vehicle charging stations are being added to Michigan. Saginaw is a priority for the state and new stations are going in the region as we speak.

Plans in Michigan for charging stations were already in progress but now that gas prices have skyrocketed the state is picking up the pace on installations.

If you live and work in the Grand Rapids area there are lots of options for charging and these continue to grow.

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