This EV Corner column is written by Jesse Lore, Founder of Green Wave EV in North Hampton, NH.
More people than ever are considering buying their first electric vehicle. A 2022 study from auto club AAA said that “one-quarter of Americans say they would be likely to buy an electric vehicle for their next auto purchase.” But making that purchase can be confusing, time consuming, and frustrating with many traditional auto dealerships having limited electric vehicle inventory, and even less knowledge about what it takes for consumers to make the switch. Add to that the high cost of a new vehicle, with the complexities of new tax incentives, and it can be overwhelming.
That's why I started Green Wave Electric Vehicles, a business built on a mission to create a more sustainable society by providing affordable, fun, and fossil-fuel-free transportation options to people in our communities. I have always been passionate about helping to build stronger communities and a better world. I grew up here in New Hampshire, and after graduating from college, I went to work for private non-profits serving people with disabilities in community settings.
There I learned something that most of us take for granted: transportation is key to a quality life in the community. For people who can’t drive, or who need specialized vehicles and services, life can be difficult and boring. It’s hard to get the goods and services you need if you can’t get around independently. It’s really difficult to make and maintain meaningful relationships if you’re stuck at home with no ride. A big part of my work for those organizations was to solve complex transportation problems for people with complex needs.
A little more than a decade ago, I switched roles to work for a company that provided vehicles for people with disabilities. I learned the ins and outs of the automotive industry in a specialized field where people were transitioning from regular cars to wheelchair accessible vehicles. As part of my work, I helped build the wheelchair accessible taxi systems in major metros all over the country, including New York City where I sold hundreds of accessible cabs. Through this work, I began to understand the wide variety of ways that people need and use their cars to get to work, to enjoy their communities, and to stay healthy, all while finding a ride that they enjoyed and that fit their budget.
I grew with the company, eventually becoming the Vice President in charge of all sales and service for over 90 wheelchair-accessible vehicle dealerships nationwide. That work was fun and meaningful, but I developed a growing awareness that there is a problem with our transportation systems: they are not sustainable. I had started a Corporate Social Responsibility team at my company, and spearheaded efforts to improve our treatment of employees and our charitable impact on our communities. We joined New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility, where I met and worked with leaders of the most sustainable companies in our state. I even went back to school to get my master’s degree in sustainable business practices. These efforts led to my company winning a Sustainability Award in 2022, but the environmental impact of our products — vehicles powered by fossil fuels — remained. So in 2022, I left my job and started Green Wave Electric Vehicles, New Hampshire’s first and only auto dealer focusing on reused EVs and Plug-in Hybrids.
At Green Wave, we give customers a chance to learn about making the switch to an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicle from knowledgeable professionals who can answer all your questions in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. We know that test driving is an important part of EV buying, so we let customers test drive all makes and models of electric vehicles right here in North Hampton - options ranging from Chevy Bolts and Nissan LEAFs to Ford Mustang Mach Es, Audi e trons, and the Kia EV6. With these cars, customers can save thousands or tens of thousands of dollars off a new vehicle purchase.
And even though Green Wave is an independently owned and operated small dealership, you can still get everything you would expect from the big guys: Green Wave accepts all trade-ins, and will get you good money for your old gas-powered car; we offer financing options for people with all types of credit histories; and we can even help you with your home charging solution. We not only provide customers with an auto history report for their vehicle, but most models also have a battery health report available from Green Wave partner, Recurrent Automotive.
Many people are also becoming aware of the Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and gives purchasers $4,000 for choosing to buy a low-cost electric vehicle. Under the law, a vehicle must be priced at $25,000 or less, be at least 2 model years old, and have a battery capacity of at least 7 kilowatt hours, which means that plug-in hybrid vehicles like the Chevy Volt qualify as well as fully electric vehicles like the Chevy Bolt and Nissan LEAF. The staff at Green Wave are fully versed in this law, and can guide purchasers through their options, the income limits, and the reporting requirements to receive the tax credit.
We believe in guiding and educating our customers. We listen to you, learn about your driving needs and preferences, and provide EV and home charging solutions that will improve your transportation situation and reduce your operating costs while also helping lower your environmental impact. And because we want to help you make the most impact with your purchase, we plant 100 trees in your name to offset any carbon emissions associated with your purchase at no cost to you. Stop by to test drive an EV!
Call Green Wave today to set up an appointment to start your EV journey, or check out their inventory online at www.GreenWaveEV.com.
