Looking to put your hard-earned paycheck toward a new set of wheels? The amount of used cars you can choose from is enough to make your head spin, and that’s before comparing power sources. If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, allow me to serve up some food for thought.
Life in the military has its own challenges, such as moving every few years and traveling all over the world. It also has some nice perks, like free charging stations and a growing support network for electric privately owned vehicles.
Only you can determine what’s right for you, but knowing the basics will have you well on your way to making an informed decision.
What You Need to Know About Buying an EV
Let’s start by checking in on the current state of EVs (the ones we can buy, not the ones the U.S. military is working on).
According to Car and Driver, the five best-selling EVs right now are the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5. With the exception of the Model 3, those are all SUVs. Performance and practicality vary, as does pricing.
Read Next: How to Maximize Your Car’s Resale Value Before You Change Duty Stations
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price for new cars was $49,740 at the end of 2024. The trend is higher for EVs, which tend to cater to more affluent customers. In July 2025, Kelley Blue Book reported that the average price for a new EV was $56,910.
New, more affordable electric models are bringing that average down, but they’re still being offset in the average by high-end EVs such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS (starting at $99,900) and the $249,000 Lucid Air Sapphire.
There are tax incentives available to EV buyers, but they can be complicated to navigate and they won’t be around much longer -- at the federal level, anyway. You can get the most current information directly from the IRS or ask your local car dealer. You may be able to take advantage of state tax incentives, too, and U.S. News & World Report has a handy guide.
According to CNBC, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included a $7,500 federal tax credit for those who bought electric cars or plug-in hybrids, but there was plenty of fine print. To be eligible for the credit, a sedan had to cost less than $55,000 and an SUV or pickup truck had to cost less than $80,000. There were three different income restrictions based on whether a car buyer filed individually, as a household or as a head of household. On top of that, some EVs were off the table entirely.
According to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, 70% of electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles were ineligible in 2022, and the publication predicted that none would be eligible within a few years based on the law’s stipulations. One way to get around that was to lease rather than buy. That might seem counterintuitive but, as CNBC points out, it’s a loophole in the law that benefits EV buyers.
Of course, none of that matters if you’re reading this after Sept. 30, 2025, when the AP reports these tax credits will expire. The bottom line is that you’re going to foot the bill for your next car, no matter what you buy.
What about used options? According to Market Watch, electric vehicles are notoriously bad at retaining their value. That’s unfortunate if you’re a car’s first owner and you’re looking to sell, but it’s great news for prospective buyers. Used EVs are extremely inexpensive.
One of the biggest concerns is how soon you’ll have to replace your car’s battery. It’s not like the battery in a gas-powered car; we’re talking about spending $5,000 to $20,000, according to Motor Trend. That’s not great, but it’s better than the horror stories you may have heard, and you could easily spend more than $5,000 maintaining a gas-burning powertrain over the same period.
EVs: Coming to a Military Installation Near You
What’s it like for service members to live with an EV? There are a few major factors to consider, including aspects of ownership that civilians don’t have to think about.
Service members have to register privately owned vehicles with their military installation in addition to their state. On-base registration can be easier with an EV, because you don’t have to jump through the hoop of smog-checking your vehicle, which can be a significant hurdle if your state of registration and the state you live in have different requirements.
After getting base stickers, you’re going to need a charging station. Some installations may have trickle chargers at common areas like the commissary parking lot. If you live off base and have access to charging at home, you might not even need those. If you live on base, the military could pick up the tab for you -- at least when it comes to installing a charger.
In 2024, Military Times reported that several private suppliers of military housing had made thousands of homes available for Level 2 charging stations. According to the article, energy provider TRO Energy Solutions paid for the chargers and installation so residents only need to pay for the electricity they use.
The cost of charging an electric car varies but, as Kelley Blue Book illustrates, it’s definitely cheaper than buying a tank of gas or diesel.
The first installations to receive this support included Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana; Fort Sam Houston in Texas; Joint Base Andrews in Maryland; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii; MacDill Air Force Base in Florida; Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina; Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut; and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
A larger concern is what you’ll do when your next permanent change of station, or PCS, orders come along. Even if you have easy access to charging stations now, your next assignment could be a different story.
Limited range and long charging times mean that electric cars aren’t great for long road trips, like moving from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to Camp Pendleton, Calif., but there are alternatives. You can tow your car behind a moving truck and may even be able to ship it on the military’s dime. That’s a great way to keep miles off your car while saving money and making the trip more convenient.
Electric vs. Electrified: the Case for Hybrids
The case for buying an electric car is pretty straightforward. You never have to stop at a gas station again (well, except for snacks), maintenance is minimal, and you get to enjoy the latest technology.
On the other hand, pricing isn’t as compelling as it once was, and charging still isn’t as convenient as spending a few minutes at the pump. Then there’s the resale issue. Remember that used EV prices are very low, so you’re likely to take a bath when the time comes to sell your car if you bought it new.
If you’re considering buying an EV, you should cross-shop with hybrids -- particularly the plug-in variety. Many within the auto industry consider hybrids to be the future, because they blend the best traits of internal combustion and electric power.
For example, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE gets up to 38 miles per gallon (combined city/highway) and has enough room for you and your gear or a small family. It’s all-wheel drive so you can tackle weekend adventures and snowy duty stations with confidence. Charge it to rely on electric power or fall back on the convenience of gasoline with the 2.5-liter engine.
Electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles all have their advantages and disadvantages. Only you can find the ideal car for your lifestyle, but it sure is nice to have options.
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