Buy or Lease an Electric Vehicle/Hybrid

Summary: With its environmental benefits and popularity rising, now is the time to drive electric.

Description

Transportation is one of the most damaging contributors to climate change. Most vehicles are fueled by gasoline and produce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Because of this, driving a gas-powered car pollutes the air and warms the planet, worsening the effects of the climate emergency.

To cut your emissions on the road, you need to switch to an electric vehicle. Driving an EV is one of the highest impact actions you can take, for its environmental benefits are clear, effective, and impressive. Along with being sustainable, driving an EV is becoming more and more affordable due to government-given incentives, competition, and falling prices. You won’t be alone either.  Millions of Americans have gone electric and the demand for EVs is consistently rising. The time to switch to an electric vehicle and cut your emissions is now.

For more information on electric vehicles, click “Steps To Take” and “Deep Dive” on the tabs above.

Deep Dive

What are the savings with an EV?

With government incentives and the absence of gas, the savings with an EV can be big. Both the federal government and individual states offer incentives, including tax credits and rebates, that make buying an EV affordable. The federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 for customers of new EVs, along with a credit of up to $4,000 for some used EVs. Along with federal incentives, your state may offer incentives as well so be sure to do your research!

Which type of EV is best?

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), commonly referred to as “EVs”, are what most people think of when thinking of an electric vehicle. Simply put, these vehicles are all-electric and cannot take fuel.

Hybrid vehicles use gas-powered engines and an electric motor. Though they do not have a charging port and only take gas, these vehicles have a much lower emissions rate than traditional vehicles. 

Plug-in hybrid vehicles use both an electric battery and gas. With a smaller battery than traditional all-electric EVs, a plug-in hybrid will use its fuel tank when the battery is empty. Nevertheless, if you consistently charge your vehicle, you may not have to worry about that!

Where do you charge an EV?

Before purchasing, it may be a good idea to consider where you’ll charge your EV. Most EVs come with a 120-volt Level 1 portable charger that plugs right into your wall outlet. With this, you can plug your EV right into the wall of your garage and wake up to it fully charged!

Nevertheless, you may be interested in purchasing a Level 2 charger for more convenient charging. A Level 2 charger is professionally installed in your home and is much more efficient than the Level 1, operating at 208-240 V and 18-28 miles of range per hour.

If you’re not home, you can visit a local charging station. By using an app like Google Maps to find a nearby station or a website like PlugShare, you can easily find a station in seconds. As charging stations are becoming more frequent, you are likely to find them at grocery stores, malls, community centers, and many more locations across the country. Many of these stations are Level 2 so you can expect them to be efficient and quick!

How far can an EV travel?

All-electric vehicles can range anywhere from 100 to more than 400 miles on a single charge, while PHEVs can go 15-50 miles on their battery power before it switches back to their fuel tank. The range your EV goes is entirely dependent on the particular line you choose. Fortunately, technology has allowed ranges to increase as EVs grow in popularity.

While range anxiety is common, it is not something you should worry about with an EV. With the convenience of public charging stations, you’ll almost always be near a place to charge your car.

Steps to Take

1. Research what kind of EV is best for you. With the various kinds of electric vehicles (battery electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid), take the time to research which one is right for you. For more information on the different types of EVs, visit www.transportation.gov/ev-basics/vehicle-types.
2. Decide if you would like to lease or rent your EV.
3. Look for available tax credits and rebates available for your purchase. Both the federal government and individual states offer incentives, including tax credits and rebates, that make buying an EV affordable. Before purchasing, see which incentives you are eligible for!
4. Purchase your EV and enjoy your clean driving!