Local dealer manager shares information about electric vehicles

Local residents recently had a chance to check out a variety of electric vehicles from multiple manufacturers at Friendship Hyundai and Volvo on West State Street in Bristol, Tennessee.

“Was awesome!” said Merrie Thomsen, the dealership’s general manager. “We had different manufacturers represented.”

Thomsen partnered with Drive Electric Tennessee — Appalachian Mountains, an initiative managed by the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, for the Earth Day event. Group members brought their “beloved EV,” she said.

It gave locals, including potential buyers, a chance to check out the various electric vehicles available in the market.

“This was a great event for the community to learn about and test drive vehicles that might be interested,” Thomsen said. “It was such a success that we will try to do this annually.”

Although the event featured several brands, the Friendship lot on West State Street typically sells electric Hyundais and Volvos.

Thomsen said Hyundai is introducing the Ioniq lineup, which includes the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. The two vehicles come in different trim levels, each with different features.

The Ioniq 5 has SE, SEL, Limited and the soon-to-be-available N, which will be the performance trim, Thomsen said. The Ioniq 5 also comes with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

The Ioniq 6 comes in SE, SEL and Limited.

Volvo mainly produces hybrid, plug-in and electric vehicles. Thomsen said the brand does not have a standard gas vehicle. The company’s goal is to be fully electric by 2027, she added.

Friendship also sells hybrids and plug-in hybrids that “will give peace of mind to customers who want to experience hybrid madness,” Thomsen said.

Customers often have many questions when first considering a new hybrid or electric vehicle.

“The most asked question about electric vehicles is ‘what’s the range?'” said Thomsen.

Dealership sales representatives are trained and versed in these types of questions, she said. Salespeople can also help customers download apps to their cell phones to learn how to plan long-distance trips and locate chargers along the route.

Vehicles from Friendship Hyundai and Volvo have a range of approximately 300 miles.

“It’s improved a little bit from previous years,” Thomsen said.

Although Thomsen’s dealership sells hybrid and electric vehicles, she said they are not as popular in the region as they are in many urban areas.

“I feel like people are hesitant to go electric because they haven’t gotten enough information about the benefits,” Thomsen said. “Electric vehicles have been around since 1890. Most people don’t realize that.”

Thomsen referred to William Morrison’s electric vehicle which was introduced in 1890 in the United States.

“I think electric vehicles will eventually outgrow people,” she said. “The more they know, the more savings and benefits they will see. I think once the infrastructure is in place we will see more on the road, but that will come with time.”

Hyundai and Volvo aren’t the only hybrid or all-electric vehicles available in the region. Consumers now have more choices than ever.

The Department of Energy says there are 23 plug-in electric models and 36 hybrid models available in a variety of sizes, including the two-passenger Smart ED, the midsize Ford C-Max Energy and the BMW i3 luxury SUV.

Thomsen and her staff often answer questions about the various financial benefits and costs associated with hybrid and electric vehicles.

Buyers in Tennessee and Virginia are eligible for discounts on electric and hybrid vehicles. Tennessee customers can participate federally with a $7,500 discount.

In Virginia, the state has the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program through the Virginia Department of Energy. Residents who purchase a new or used electric vehicle are eligible for a $2,500 rebate. Used vehicles cannot cost more than $25,000. Qualifying Virginia residents may also be eligible for an additional $2,000 rebate.

Both Tennessee and Virginia also charge additional registration fees for electric vehicles. Fees are in addition to standard registration and renewal fees.

The Transportation Modernization Act of 2023 increased the registration renewal fee for electric vehicles in Tennessee. For all-electric vehicles, the tax is $200, but will increase to $274 after January 1, 2027, in Tennessee. For hybrid vehicles, the fee is $100 in Tennessee.

Tennessee’s current taxes changed on Jan. 1 and have caused some frustration among EV owners.

“Initially, some of our customers expressed concern about increased renewal fees when the legislation was first implemented, but that has mostly subsided so far,” said Sullivan County Clerk Teresa Jacobs .

Jacob’s office collects registration and renewal fees for vehicle owners in Sullivan County, including offices in Bristol, Blountville and Kingsport.

Electric vehicle owners in Virginia pay an annual highway tax or road user fee per mile. Fees are in addition to standard registration fees.

In both states, the surcharges help make up for lost fuel taxes that hybrid and electric vehicle drivers don’t pay. The taxes go towards maintaining roads, transit and airports.