Privacy & Terms

The Frugal EV ("the site," "we," "us") respects your privacy. This page explains what information is collected when you visit the site, why, and how it's used. The version below reflects the site's practices as of April 25, 2026.

What's collected automatically

Like nearly every website, this site uses Google Analytics to understand how people find and use it. Google Analytics collects:

• Pages you visit and how long you stay on each
• How you arrived at the site (search engine, direct visit, referring link)
• Your approximate location (typically country and metro area, derived from IP address)
• Device and browser information (e.g., "iPhone, Safari" or "Windows 11, Chrome")
• Anonymized usage statistics (clicks, scrolls, time on page)

Google Analytics uses cookies to do this. The data is processed by Google according to their Privacy Policy. The site owner sees only aggregated reports — never individual user identities or personal browsing histories.

If you'd prefer not to be tracked by Google Analytics, you can install Google's opt-out browser add-on, use a browser that blocks tracking by default, or disable JavaScript entirely. None of these will prevent you from reading the site.

What's collected when you sign up

If you choose to sign up for the email list, you'll be asked for your email address. The signup is processed by MailerLite (a third-party email service), which stores your email and any signup metadata (date, source page, opt-in confirmation).

The email address is used only to send updates from The Frugal EV. It's never sold, shared with advertisers, or used for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of any email — that removes you from MailerLite entirely.

MailerLite's own privacy practices are described at mailerlite.com/legal/privacy-policy.

What's collected when you email me

If you email hello@thefrugalev.com, your email address and message are received and stored on the email server hosted by KnownHost. Email exchanges with me are treated as private correspondence. I won't quote you publicly, share your message with third parties, or include your email in any list without your specific permission.

What's NOT collected

This site does not:

• Collect or sell personal information beyond what's described above
• Use third-party advertising trackers (Facebook Pixel, Twitter Pixel, etc.)
• Sell your data to advertisers, data brokers, or anyone else
• Track you across other websites you visit
• Build advertising or behavioral profiles

Cookies

The site uses cookies for two purposes:

• Google Analytics cookies (described above) — track aggregated usage
• MailerLite cookies (only set if you interact with a signup form) — confirm signups and prevent duplicate submissions

The site does not set any cookies of its own. If you'd like to control or block cookies, your browser's privacy settings let you do so for any specific site, including this one.

Children's privacy

This site is intended for adults considering EV purchases and ownership. It is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect information from anyone under 13.

Your rights

If you live in California (under CCPA), the EU (under GDPR), or another jurisdiction with privacy rights laws, you may have the right to:

• Request a copy of any personal information held about you
• Request correction or deletion of that information
• Opt out of any "sale" or "sharing" of your information (note: this site doesn't sell or share information, so this right is automatically satisfied)

To exercise these rights, email hello@thefrugalev.com with your request. Verification of your identity may be required before any data is provided or deleted.

By using The Frugal EV, you agree to the terms below. They're meant to be reasonable, not exhaustive — the site is a small editorial publication, not a SaaS product with a 40-page legal agreement.

Permitted use

You're welcome to read the articles, share links to them, and quote brief excerpts (with attribution) in your own writing or social posts. Standard fair-use practice applies. Links back to the original article are appreciated when you quote.

What's not permitted

• Republishing entire articles on another site (with or without attribution)
• Translating articles into other languages and republishing without permission
• Using the site's content to train AI/ML models without permission
• Scraping the site for commercial purposes
• Removing copyright notices or author attribution

If you'd like to do any of the above for a legitimate reason — academic research, journalism, syndication discussion — email hello@thefrugalev.com. Most reasonable requests get a yes.

Copyright

All articles, photos (where created or curated by the author), graphics, and design elements are © 2026 Charles Carboneau / thefrugalev.com unless otherwise noted. Stock and manufacturer photos are used under their respective licenses.

Affiliate disclosure

As of the publication date of this page, The Frugal EV does not participate in any affiliate programs. No links on the site earn commissions when clicked. If this changes — for example, if the site begins recommending products via Amazon Associates or similar programs — a clear disclosure will be added to every page that contains affiliate links, and this section will be updated.

External links

The site links to external sources for verification, attribution, and to point readers to useful tools (e.g., the IRS 30C eligibility map, Recurrent battery reports, Edmunds listings). These external sites have their own privacy and content policies. The Frugal EV has no control over external content and is not responsible for its accuracy.

Specific limitations

• Tax law changes constantly. Articles reflect tax law as of their publication date. Federal and state tax codes change frequently — including, recently, the dramatic 2025 OBBBA changes that invalidated much of the legacy EV tax content online. Verify current law before acting on tax-related content.
• Vehicle prices and specifications change. Manufacturer pricing, model availability, range estimates, and incentives can shift week to week. Verify directly with the manufacturer or dealer before any purchase decision.
• Real-world results vary. EV ownership economics depend on local electricity rates, gas prices, climate, driving patterns, and individual vehicle reliability. The figures on the site are reasonable estimates, not guarantees.
• The author has no industry relationships. No automaker, dealer, or service provider compensates the site or influences its editorial content. That independence is the point. But it also means the author has no privileged access to manufacturer data — articles rely on public information.

Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither Charles Carboneau personally nor The Frugal EV is liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the information on this site, including but not limited to: tax decisions, vehicle purchases, insurance choices, charging equipment installations, or maintenance plans.

That sounds harsh, and it's standard legal language — but the simple version is: do your own homework before any major financial decision, even if an article points you in a direction.

For privacy-related questions (data access, correction, deletion requests), copyright inquiries, content licensing requests, or anything else of a legal or formal nature, email:

hello@thefrugalev.com

For general feedback, story tips, or editorial questions, the same address works — see the Contact page for the broader guide on what kinds of inquiries are welcome.

Changes to this policy

This page may be updated as the site grows, particularly when new features (affiliate programs, sponsored content, additional analytics tools) are added. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be flagged in an email to subscribers and noted briefly on the homepage for at least 30 days.

This privacy and terms statement is provided in good faith for a small editorial site. It is not a substitute for review by a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. If you have specific legal questions about your own use of the site or your data, consult an attorney.