HOUSTON — With gas prices around $4 a gallon or higher, electric cars are suddenly the hottest thing on the road.
So is it time to finally consider one?
Kevin Kushman says buying a Tesla was one of the best things he ever did.
"Love it," Kushman said. "No complaints."
But for 2022, electric means much more than a Tesla.
As we saw in all those Super Bowl ads, mainstream carmakers are now going all in on electric and plug-in hybrids, including even the top selling Ford F-150 pickup.
Pam Taylor never considered one before, but is now looking at the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
"I do like the savings as far as gas mileage," Taylor said. "But I do have to find out more about them."
So is consumer Herman Davis.
"Really nice, a lot of features in it," Davis said.
Now you probably see 20 Jeep Wranglers every time you go to the grocery store. But you've probably never seen the new electric Jeep Wrangler.
With gas prices well over $3, there can be a real savings in electric.
Even better, the government wants to help you buy one!
If you check the government's fuel economy website, you'll see you can get a $7,500 credit on a Jeep plug-in hybrid, a Hyundai IONIQ, Mustang Mach-E, and Nissan Leaf among others.
You can also get a $4,500 credit on a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.
The catch? The credits end once an automaker sells too many cars.
"You have a tax credit based on which type of vehicle you buy," Kushman said. "Some have run out, for instance the Teslas have run out, because they were oversubscribed. But all the new models have the opportunity to generate a personal tax incentive."
Kushman is so bullish that he has joined the electric industry and now installs charging stations, through his company Electrada.
And with more stations, and renewed credits, car buyers like Justin Drew are ready.
"They used to be only for the rich," Drew said. "But now everyday Americans can get one too."
Electric cars that don't qualify for a credit, though, tend to be pricier than their gasoline counterparts.
So run the numbers so you don't waste your money.