Electric Cars 101

The shift to electric cars is underway, with a wide range of new models coming onto the market. As these vehicles enter the mainstream, the question is whether or not this new technology is right for you. We’ve put together this short course on how electric cars work, their advantages and disadvantages, and what to expect from the ownership experience. This knowledge will go a long way in determining what type of electric, plug-in, or hybrid technology best suits your needs.

Electric Cars 101: What You Need to Know About EVs

If you are thinking about driving greener with an electric car, you probably wonder what your options are and need answers to questions before you step away from your gas-powered vehicle.Electric vehicles make up about 5.5% of the new car sales in the first half of 2022, according to the Kelley Blue Book Q2 2022 Electrified Light-Vehicle Sales Report.

Get a Current Market Value for Your Car

Select your car

Enter your Year, Make, Model and Trimline.

Tell us about the car's condition

Provide the mileage, vehicle condition and any additional options your car is equipped with.

Discover your car's resale value

Determine your target price for trading-in your car or selling it yourself.

You Need to Know

Electric Car Range: Everything You Need to Know

A desire to do something to help save the planet, along with the potential for saving money on fuel and vehicle maintenance, typically rank as the top reasons car buyers explore... Read More..

Battery Health Score: New Tool Rates Used EV Value

As electric cars reach the mainstream, knowing the life left in a battery is a big factor in a vehicle’s value. The engine and transmission are major cost components in traditional... Read More..

Study: EVs Cost More to Repair, Less to Maintain

Electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving parts than gasoline-powered cars. Fewer parts should mean fewer part failures. They also consume less. There’s no oil to change... Read More..

LEARN MORE ABOUT SELLING A CAR

How To Sell Your Car

How to Maximize your Car's Curb Appeal

Cost of Trading In A Car

Pros and Cons of Trading vs. Selling Your Car

Latest Electric Car News

The automotive landscape is rapidly changing as manufacturers gear up to bring electric vehicles to the market. Here you will find all the breaking news on electric car and truck introductions, including pricing and incentives. We also bring you technology updates and information you can use to keep abreast of the changes in the rapidly evolving world of electric cars.

BMW X1 Wins Our Subcompact Luxury SUV Best Buy Award

Subcompact luxury SUVs are a great gateway into the world of luxury cars. They offer the added power, crisp handling, luxurious surfaces, and high-tech cabins of luxury vehicles. But they keep prices reasonable with their small size.
If you’re considering buying one in 2023, our editors think the BMX X1 is the best buy on the market. This year, it took home our Best Buy Award in the Subcompact Luxury SUV class.

Let’s Take a Look Inside the 2022 Kia EV6 Electric Car

The 2022 Kia EV6 is a stylish, sporty electric vehicle with ultra-fast charging capability, a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, and it comes with 1,000 kilowatt-hours of free... Read More..

Here’s What You Get on a Fully Loaded Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 electric car is the brand’s first attempt at a dedicated electric car, and it’s a knockout. Among the most exciting Kias ever made, the EV6’s combination of ample... Read More..

Preparing to Sell Your Used Car

Spiff Up the Exterior

Remove Small Dents

Fix Window-Glass Defects

Clean the Interior Thoroughly

Clean the Engine Compartment

Make Necessary Repairs

Electric Car Comparisons

2022 GMC Hummer EV vs. 2022 Ford Lightning Comparison

Two legendary names in the truck world are going electric soon. One comes from GMC under the resurrected Hummer banner, and the other is the quintessential American pickup in... Read More..

Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Tesla Cybertruck Comparison: The Pickup Truck, Re-invented

Two of the most highly anticipated new vehicle launches over the next year will be the debut of two electric pickup trucks, the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Cybertruck... Read More..

Tesla Cybertruck vs. Rivian R1T Comparison

Two new electric pickup trucks are set to rival the established manufacturers in this new segment. In this case, Tesla, which has disrupted the auto industry with its... Read More..

Electric Vehicles in Every Style

What kind of electric car is right for you? Here’s an in-depth look at a wide variety of EVs, from compact SUVs to pickup trucks. These vehicles meet needs ranging from taking the kids to school to getting away from it all in the great outdoors. You also find useful information on different types of technology, from battery electric to plug-in hybrid, as well as front-, rear- and all-wheel drive options.

Electric Vehicle Charging & Range

EV Charging Stations: Everything You Need To Know

Unlike a gasoline-fueled car, one major perk of an electric vehicle is that you can plug it in at home or use an EV charging station when you’re on the go... Read More..

Electric Car Range: Everything You Need to Know

Most drivers are familiar with EPA fuel economy estimates for gasoline-powered vehicles. Electric cars have EPA ratings to explain how far the EV might travel... Read More..

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Car?

“A conservative rule of thumb is that an electric car gets 3 to 4 miles per kWh,” Voelcker says. “So divide the total miles you drive each month by 3 to get... Read More..

Trade In Frequently Asked Questions

What is Grade Your Trade ?

Grade Your Trade, a leading provider of marketplace insight since 1955, is best known in the automotive industry for providing timely, independent, and accurate vehicle pricing information.

What Is the Trade-In Value?

Trade-In Value is the price a dealer would offer for a consumer’s vehicle to apply toward the purchase of another car in the dealer's inventory. The trade-in value is more closely aligned with the auction wholesale value, meaning what the car would sell for at an auction to interested retailers. However, the dealer may offer more if the vehicle is a desirable inventory item. In this case, a dealer may make allowances in consideration of auction and transportation fees that would have been paid if the car were bought at an auction.

What Is the Private Party Value?

Private Party Value is the price you could expect for a vehicle sales transaction between two consumers. Depending on demand and condition, this transaction price will be between the wholesale value and the retail value. Private party transactions are typically less than dealer sales because they do not provide the buyer any financing options, warranty, nor any recourse should there be any problems with the vehicle. All sales are considered final and as-is.

How Are the Trade-In and Private Party Values Calculated?

Grade Your Trade acquires its pricing data from wholesale auctions and retail transactions nationwide. Pricing is updated on a weekly basis. High mileage, vehicle damage, and the cost to recondition the car for resale all have an impact on the overall value of your car.

Why Aren't All Optional Equipment and Packages Listed as Additions?

Used-car shoppers tend to focus on their basic transportation needs and finding a budget-priced car. Because these shoppers aren't willing to pay extra for many upgrades, oftentimes optional equipment and packages added to a new car have little or no resale value when the car is traded in or sold privately.

Why Does the Dealer's Estimate of My Car's Value Differ From the Value I Calculated Here?

There's no such thing as exact pricing when it comes to a used car trade-in value. The exact appraisal amount will change based on local market conditions, the dealer's inventory, and their ability to resell the car. To understand the value of your car, take it to multiple used car lots to see what they will give you for it. This will help you understand the high- and low-end values for your car.