Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are taking to the road in greater and greater numbers, with most major automotive manufacturers offering an electric vehicle. Electric vehicles offer a great environmental benefit and dramatically reduce operating costs for the average driver. Knowing whether or not an EV is right for you can be tough, as they are newly popular and there are a few lifestyle factors to consider before purchasing an electric car; however, most drivers won’t need to make any changes to adjust to driving an electric vehicle.
Electric vehicles have been around for a long time. Recent advancements in battery technology and efficiency have resulted in their viability, even over distances of over 200 miles. Where previous generations of electric vehicles may have been limited in range and capability, modern EV’s compete head to head with the best petroleum-fueled models on the market.
Is an Electric Vehicle Right for You?
When considering the purchase of an Electric Vehicle there are a few key considerations.
How much do you drive daily?
The typical car owner drives around 40 miles per day. Some modern EV’s can travel much further, up to 200 miles; however, if you drive far and/or often it might be wise to consider a plugin hybrid which can operate in gas only mode if the batteries become depleted.
How will you charge your vehicle?
All electric vehicles can be charged using a 120V outlet; however, for faster, more convenient charging a 240V outlet may become necessary. Ensuring that your home is adequately prepared for an EV is important to ensuring that you never run out of juice.
How much will you spend on maintenance in an EV?
Most EV’s cost significantly less per year to maintain than traditional vehicles. This is because they have far fewer moving parts and are actually mechanically simpler than gas- or diesel-powered vehicles.
Read more about whether or not an EV is right for you.
Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
As electric vehicles’ market share grows, the availability of fast charging stations and home charging options is making questions of charging your batteries a thing of the past. Modern EV’s can be charged overnight from a 120V outlet and some fast DC charging stations can charge an EV from 0% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Charging stations are popping up all over the country at public places, gas stations, and even some unexpected locations. When you switch to EV, you don’t have to worry about the availability of charging locations, you can charge at home or on the road!
Read more about keeping your EV running!
Electric Vehicle-Ready Homes
A home can be set up to charge an EV in one of two ways:
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 charging requires a 120V outlet, near a frequent parking space. This method of charging your vehicle is the least expensive to implement but does take longer to charge, often producing only 3 to 5 miles of charge per hour in a typical electric car. Most drivers find that this level of charging is just fine for their commute to work and back.
Level 2 Charging
Level 2 charging requires a connection to 240V power, near a frequent parking space. This method of charging is much faster than Level 1 charging, delivering 10 to 20 miles per hour to your car. While there is more involved with setting up a Level 2 Charging system, many drivers find it worth the greatly reduced charging time.
Learn more about making your home EV ready.