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Can I legally import an electric car?
I’ve noticed that a few automakers have affordable EVs that they don’t sell in the the U.S. Can I import one of these models here?
Andrew Koole · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Your search for an affordable
electric car
must go on, I’m afraid. Because of federal regulations, Americans can only import vehicles from other countries once they’re 25 years old or older. That means new electric cars aren’t importable—for now.
The Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act regulates the safety of all the vehicles allowed on American roads. In order to sell their cars in the U.S., automakers have to submit their models to the government’s rigorous safety protocols.
Passing the government’s tests can be expensive, so many automakers don’t submit their models unless they’re sure there’s a market for them here. Hence, a few EVs enjoyed by drivers in Europe and Asia, for example, aren’t allowed to cross our borders.
There are a few affordable electric cars for sale in the U.S. though. In terms of reliable range, the best ones are the Chevy Bolt, its sibling the Bolt EUV, and the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Car insurance
for these electric cars varies a lot based on the provider you sign up with, so make sure to shop around with Jerry
before making a decision.
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- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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