WHO KNEW There Are More And More Options to Drive Electric?
The July/August “AARP Bulletin” ran an article about the increasing numbers and models of electric vehicles available today. And these are not just from high-end manufacturers like Audi and Tesla. Now you can find hybrids and all-electric cars from companies like Ford (including the F-150 pickup), GM, Hyundai, KIA, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen - and more. Though the purchase prices for EVs are somewhat higher than for similar gas-powered vehicles, some manufacturers still have available federal tax credits that can cut your cost considerably.
Every EV and hybrid can be recharged using a regular 120V electric outlet in your garage. This is called “Level 1” charging and will give you only about 5 miles of range per hour that your car is plugged in. But for daily around-town driving it’s usually fine - and if your vehicle is a hybrid you’ll have gas for backup. If you have a dedicated 240-volt outlet installed (like the one your clothes dryer uses), you can recharge your car overnight and you’re good to go for 200+ miles. Level 3 rapid chargers are compatible with most EVs and hybrids. They are being installed in places like parking lots and Interstate rest stops. It won’t be as fast as filling up a car with gas, but in about the time it takes to order and drink a latte you’ll be good to go with optimal power. There are websites that can let you know where charging stations are located along your route.
Another plus: operating and maintenance costs are lower for electric vehicles. One study looked at the cost of electricity vs. gas and found that you can drive an EV 15,000 miles in a year for only about half of what it would cost to drive a comparable gas-powered car. In some states it’s even less than half.
Another plus: Because there are fewer moving parts than in gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles don’t cost as much to maintain and repair. And the range these cars can cover is increasing with new technologies and more rapid-charging stations being installed in public areas.
As for me, I’m just counting the months until my diesel-drinking car’s lease is up.