As an Iowan electric vehicle owner myself, I get a lot of questions from curious drivers about what it‘s really like relying on this new technology in our rural Midwest state. Overall I‘ve found owning my Tesla Model 3 for the past two years to be surprisingly pleasant, thanks to lower charging costs and continually improving infrastructure access.
However, Iowa still has a ways to go before becoming a true EV paradise, even as adoption rates start accelerating. This guide will give you an in-depth look at the current landscape for drivers considering going electric, from charging logistics to operating costs and ownership incentives.
The Current Landscape
First, let‘s quickly cover the key stats on electric vehicle adoption in Iowa:
- Over 9,400 electric vehicles registered in the state as of 2022
- That‘s nearly 3X the number just two years ago
- Over 1,200 public charging stations operational statewide
- Charging stations concentrated around Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport
- New $2.8 million infrastructure expansion planned along highways by 2023
Iowa got a late start promoting electric vehicles compared to leading states like California and New York. But consumer interest is rising rapidly now thanks to attractive new EV models and word-of-mouth enthusiasm.
National surveys show over 55% of Iowans are considering an electric vehicle for their next car purchase. Supporting that growing preference with adequate charging access for convenient everyday use and travel is now Iowa‘s key priority.
Analyzing the Charging Infrastructure Needs
Since purchasing my Tesla in 2021, I‘ve witnessed firsthand the explosion of new charging locations opening up for public use, but gaps still remain in rural parts of the state.
Charging Stations Over Time
| Year | New Charging Stations | Total Charging Stations |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 73 | 203 |
| 2018 | 125 | 328 |
| 2019 | 177 | 505 |
| 2020 | 248 | 753 |
| 2021 | 315 | 1,068 |
| 2022 | 135 (to date) | 1,203 |
Focusing infrastructure investment along Iowa‘s interstate highways makes sense initially to assure EV drivers can take road trips across and through the state confidently.
The map below from the U.S. Department of Energy shows the current locations of public charging stations with good coverage around Des Moines up to Minneapolis, along I-80 heading west and I-380 towards Chicago. However, gaps still remain across the state‘s northern and southern tiers.
Leading Charging Station Operators
New public chargers are being installed by both public agencies and private networks like:
- ChargePoint – 418 charging ports
- SemaConnect – 234 charging ports
- EVgo – 157 charging ports
- Electrify America – 104 charging ports
The mix of connector types available breaks down as follows statewide:
- Level 2 Connectors – 1,086 ports
- CHAdeMO Connectors – 344 ports
- CCS Connectors: 328 ports
- Tesla Connectors: 90 ports
To match the needs of a projected 300,000 electric vehicles in Iowa by 2030, analysts estimate another 1,000 fast charging ports will need to be installed over the next 7 years, focusing on rural areas.
The good news is both state and federal funding for this infrastructure expansion is now opening up in 2023, setting the stage for accelerating access improvements in coming years.
What Does It Really Cost to Own an EV in Iowa?
Here in Iowa, we enjoy electricity rates substantially below the national average – about 13 cents per kWh for residential charging. Combine that with the modern EV fleet‘s impressive efficiencies, and powering your daily commute is a lot cheaper than paying for gallons of $4 per gallon gas!
Here‘s a look at Iowa‘s average electric rates over the past 5 years:
| Year | Average Electricity Rate (cents per kWh) |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 12.5 |
| 2019 | 12.7 |
| 2020 | 12.9 |
| 2021 | 13.1 |
| 2022 | 13.2 |
Of course, charging times and electrical needs can vary widely depending on which EV model you choose. Here‘s a comparison of estimated charging costs for some of today‘s most popular electric vehicles:
| EV Model | Battery Size | Charging Speed | Charging Cost (Home) | Charging Cost (Public) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Chevy Bolt EV | 65 kWh | 7.2 kW | $8.58 | $11.88 |
| 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 77.4 kWh | 11 kW | $10.08 | $15.48 |
| 2023 Nissan Leaf (base) | 40 kWh | 6.6 kW | $5.20 | $8.00 |
| 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 91 kWh | 11 kW | $11.83 | $18.20 |
As you can see, even premium models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E capable of blazing 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds only costs $12-18 to "refuel" for 250+ miles of range – far cheaper than a gas sports car.
Of course, your individual charging needs and costs will depend on factors like:
- Your daily driving mileage needs
- Access to home charging availability
- Reliance on workplace or public charging
- Charging speeds supported by your EV model
- Local electricity rates in your utility territory
As a real world case study, here is a cost comparison showing my particular situation owning a 2021 Tesla Model 3 in Des Moines:
My Estimated Charging Costs Per Month
- 2,500 miles driven
- 85% charged at home (1,100 kWh) @ $0.13 per kWh = $143
- 15% workplace charging (195 kWh) @ $0.15 per kWh = $29
- Total charging cost: $172
If I was driving an equivalent 25 MPG gasoline car those 2,500 miles per month, assuming $3.50 per gallon fuel prices, I would be paying $350 per month – more than twice as much!
Sizing Up Iowa‘s Current Electric Vehicle Incentives
Unfortunately, Iowa is lagging behind leading EV states in terms of generous cash incentives and rebates currently. Here is a summary of the main programs available:
- Up to $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit
- No Cash Rebates for EV Purchases
- Time-of-Use Electricity Rate Discounts: MidAmerican, Alliant
- Residential Charger Discount: MidAmerican ($500)
The federal tax credit up to $7,500 continues to be the most valuable savings opportunity, but phases out eventually once an automaker sells over 200,000 EVs in the U.S.
Iowa had previous legislative initiatives like the "Solar and Electric Vehicle Tax Credit" bills that would have matched the federal incentive with a $5,000 state tax credit, but they repeatedly stalled out over the years.
Nearby states currently offer these EV buyer incentives that Iowa drivers may envy:
- Illinois – Rebate up to $4,000 per EV
- Wisconsin – Charging station grant program ($500)
- Minnesota – Rebate up to $2,500 per EV
- Colorado – Tax credits up to $5,000 per EV
So there is still substantial room for Iowa to enhance incentives to stimulate consumer adoption and economic growth.
Key Considerations for Owning an EV in Iowa
Through my multi-year journey going electric, I‘ve discovered some unique pros and cons specifically around Iowa EV ownership I want to share from direct experience:
Pros
- Low electric rates for cheap charging
- Des Moines and Iowa City have extensive charging networks
- New infrastructure investments coming statewide
- Federal tax credit still available
Cons
- Sparse rural charging access currently
- Brutal winters hurt EV battery range
- Miniscule state financial incentives right now
- Added registration fees for EVs
Iowa still has its frustrations around EV ownership – mainly the lack of incentives and the range hit during cold snowy weather. But the economics ultimately win out for most drivers.
Public policy enhancements encouraging further infrastructure buildout supporting both daily commuting and long-distance travel would also go a long way improving ownership experience.
"I‘ve saved over $2,000 on fuel costs since I traded in my Subaru for a Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV last year. The instant torque acceleration is awesome too!" – Lucas S., Cedar Rapids resident
The Bottom Line: EVs Are Taking Over Iowa
While not yet on par policy-wise with leading states, Iowa‘s low electricity rates and improving charging networks are setting the stage for surging consumer electric vehicle adoption in coming years.
Addressing infrastructure gaps, particularly across rural regions, must remain the top focus area for both public and private entities to match support with booming demand.
But as an early EV owner within the state, I wholeheartedly recommend modern electric vehicles to Iowa drivers based on outstanding ownership cost savings alone – even with current hassles and winter weather learning curves. The smooth quiet ride quality and exhilarating acceleration are just nice bonuses!
With new models like the Chevy Blazer EV and Dodge RAM EV coming soon boasting both 400+ mile ranges and sub $30k price tags, Iowa roads will be buzzing with electrons and smiling drivers before you know it.
I welcome your ownership questions in the comments below! Let‘s get Iowa cruising into the future.
