Buy or Lease an Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicles are much cheaper to operate and maintain than gas cars, and they are fun to drive! They also don’t create emissions that cause air pollution. If we all drove EVs, imagine the clean air! And ranges are extending—up to 200 miles or more on an overnight charge. The list of EV benefits goes on! Read more about the perks of EVs below.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
In the market for a new car? Consider going electric! Electric vehicles (EVs) are simple—instead of a gas engine, they run on batteries. Battery power goes directly to turn the wheels, which makes them fast and fun to drive (think go-kart). Batteries are far more efficient than gas engines and require almost no maintenance which means big savings of up to 50% or more on annual fuel and maintenance costs. And they have a huge benefit for the environment and climate. Here are some of the benefits:
Save Money! Lower fuel & maintenance costs. EVs save the average driver $800-$1,000 or more per year just in fuel costs. Check the stats section at the top of the page to see how much you will save. EVs don’t have a gas engine, so there are no oil changes, spark plugs or transmission service. This generally adds about $200 or more annual savings on maintenance. Think of what you could do with an extra $1,000-$1,200 per year!
Fun to drive. The best-kept secret about EVs is that they are fun to drive! Really. They are fast, quiet, and with direct power from the batteries to the wheels, they accelerate quickly. Test drive one and find out why they call it the EV grin.
Leave the gas station behind. EVs are easy to charge at home. Simply plug in your EV at night and you are charged and ready to go in the morning. No gas station required! For the occasional longer trip, stop at a fast charging station and head back out on the road in 30 minutes or so.
Reduce dependence on foreign oil. Driving an EV uses electricity, which is a domestic energy source. Switching to EVs reduces our dependence on foreign oil, improving U.S. security.
Clean air. Gas powered transportation is the largest contribution to both carbon emissions and air pollution for most people in the U.S. Switching from a gas car to an EV is one of the biggest single actions you can take to lower your impact and create a safer healthier community and future!
Big perks. From large tax incentives and state rebates to carpool lane access and free parking, there are many perks to driving an EV! Check out your state transportation website or the resources section below for information on rebates, tax incentives, and other perks.
1Find the right EV for you
If the options on the market right now don’t quite fit or you’re not ready to replace your current car, schedule this action out a few years on your plan. With all the benefits of an EV, if you are looking for a new car, they are worth considering today. Take a test drive, estimate your savings, and get ready to fall in love with EVs!
Here are some things to consider when looking for your first EV:
Daily Range. How far do you drive on a typical day? Do you take frequent long trips? EVs vary in how many miles you can drive on a single charge, but as of 2018, ranges on many EVs have extended to 150-200 miles or more on an overnight charge. Ninety percent of Americans drive less than 60 miles a day to get to work, so EVs can now cover the daily driving needs for most Americans.
If you occasionally need to drive more than 150-200 miles in a day, stop at a fast charging station and add a few miles quickly. Or if it’s a once or twice a year road trip, consider renting a hybrid for the trip. With the big savings from EVs, it will easily cover a weekend rental or two.
Buy or Lease? Because EV technology is advancing so quickly, there are benefits to leasing. Leasing provides lower monthly payments, increasing the monthly savings of EV ownership. Leasing also protects you from the drop in the value of an EV over time as newer models increase in range and features. Under most circumstances, leasing is a better financial option while EV technology is rapidly improving.
Home charging & fast charging. Your charging needs will depend on your average daily driving habits. Learn more in the Charging 101 section below. Make sure you will have the charging access you need for the model you choose. Also, do you plan to drive long distances and charge away from home often? If so, you will want an EV compatible with fast charging stations. Most newer models are compatible, but if you are buying a used EV, make sure to check.
Cost. EV sticker prices are coming down and along with rebates and tax incentives, many EVs are cost-effective today. The average price for a new mid-sized EV is $30,000-$38,000. However, there is also a growing market for used EVs with great prices. If you don’t drive more than 50-60 miles per day on average, a used EV with a shorter battery range might be perfect. You can find EVs with an 80-mile battery range for $6,000 and up. With the very low cost for fuel and maintenance, this can be a very low-cost transportation option.
Federal tax credit and rebates. There is a federal tax credit still in place, but the amount is dropping, depending on which model you choose. Find more about the federal tax rebate at FuelEconomy.gov. Some states also have rebates, which combined with the federal rebate, can lower your purchase price up to $10,000. Check with your state or the resources section below for more information on rebates and credits in your area. After you buy or lease your EV, don’t forget to claim your tax credit!
Perks. There are additional perks available in many areas! Some perks include a free charging card, a discount on a 240-volt home charging station, a fast lane pass or other perks. Check with the dealership before you buy as perks can vary by manufacturer. Also, check with your state or in the resources section below for more information on perks.
2Learn about charging (Charging 101)
Charging is new and different, but easy! Here are a few basics:
Charging Speed. There are three charging speeds: basic (level 1), regular (level 2) and fast (level 3). These levels require different outlet types or connectors and vary in the amount of time needed to charge your EV. Here are the details:
Level 1, basic charging. Level 1 charging uses a standard outlet, just like the one you plug your phone into. All EVs come with a standard plug cord. Just plug it in and you are charging! The catch—this method is slower. You can generally charge 3-4 miles per hour. That’s about 30-40 miles charging overnight. If you drive 25-30 miles/day on average, this works! Since the average U.S. commute is 29 miles/day, this works for many people and doesn’t require the extra cost of a faster charger.
Level 2, regular charging. The fastest home charging is a level 2 charger. The level 2 charger uses a standard 240-volt outlet, just like an electric clothes dryer. With a level 2 charger, you can charge 10-25 miles/hour which provides 100-250 miles on an overnight charge. These are the most common chargers both for home charging as well as public chargers. Level 2 chargers cost about $500 or more and may require a one-time installation of an outlet if you don’t have one available. If your home is older, you may also need to upgrade your electrical panel to accommodate more energy use. This can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to check and see what the requirements would be for your home if you want to install a level 2 charger.
Level 3, fast charging. Fast charging is fast. A fast charger can charge 150-200 or more miles in one hour, or up to 100 miles in 30 minutes! Fast chargers are generally available in public places and are too expensive to install at home. If you have limited ability to charge at home and have fast chargers in your area, fast charging is an alternative option to home charging. If you have a regular commute (30 miles a day), then charging a couple of times a week is enough to keep you on the road without home charging. Charging only costs a few dollars for a full charge and fast chargers are generally located at grocery stores, parking garages, community centers or other central locations where you can do your shopping or have a meal while charging. Some companies even provide free charging for employees at work.
To find public fast chargers and Level 2 chargers in your area, visit the PlugShare website or download the PlugShare app. There are a few different kinds of fast charging plugs: DC Fast Charging, SAE J1772 Combo, Tesla. The type of connection depends on the type of EV. Most fast chargers accommodate both DC and SAE which covers nearly all EV models. Tesla has a separate network. Check your EV manual to see which one you need. Not all EVs are fast charger compatible. If fast charging is important to you, check before you purchase to make sure your EV has fast charging capabilities!
Different chargers are on different networks. You can generally charge at a station without an account, but you can often save money if you sign up and charge regularly on that network. Check with the provider most common in your area for charging account pricing and options.
3Choose your EV and hit the road!
Choose your EV, charge up and hit the road! If you decided on a Level 2 home charger, purchase and schedule its install.
Check your local utility rate options. If you are charging at home, you may notice your monthly electricity bill go up. Some utilities charge more for electricity if you use more than the regular monthly base amount. However, many utility companies also now offer special rate plan options specifically for EV owners. If you charge your EV overnight regularly, a plan that offers lower rates during off-peak hours may save you money. Give your utility company a call to see what plans they offer that can save you money.
Congrats! You just completed the biggest impact action! Enjoy your new car and have fun!