Car ownership is not without headaches&#; traffic, parking, insurance, and maintenance, to name some. It&#;s no surprise that many of us are asking, what are my other alternatives? Maybe your weekly commuting miles have shrunk as many workplaces now offer work-from-home or hybrid schedules. Maybe you&#;re interested in getting to more places by walking or public transit, or maybe you&#;re curious about e-bikes. Perhaps your household has multiple cars, and you are interested in subtracting one. Of course, there will be situations when you really do need a car, but instead of sinking so much money into car ownership, maybe using a car-sharing or ride-hailing service for those occasions might suffice.
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A car-free lifestyle can save you about $10,000 a year. But there are other benefits, too. By not driving, you&#;re dramatically lowering your annual carbon emissions. Additionally, alternate forms of transportation offer benefits in the form of added exercise and time spent outdoors, or time to reflect, read, listen to podcasts or music, or get some work done while taking that train or bus.
If you live in a rural or suburban area where public transit isn&#;t an option and walking or biking are inconvenient due to long distances or car-centric planning, buying a car may be your best option for getting around.
If you need a personal vehicle, get the lowest emissions vehicle that meets your needs. Choose electric if you can, but whether gasoline or EV, a more efficient vehicle will be better for the climate and cheaper to fuel.
And the good news is, that if you choose an electric vehicle (EV), you can save on maintenance and fuel costs. On top of being cost-effective, people within certain income brackets may qualify for a tax credit on many non-luxury EV models; a tax credit is also available for moderate-income buyers of some used EVs bought from licensed dealers.
If you own an older gas-powered car and you&#;re considering upgrading, the potential fuel savings can be significant since many older cars are less fuel efficient than newer cars. Over time, fuel and maintenance savings compensate for the initial price difference between a gas-powered car and a comparable EV, even before factoring in consumer incentives. The current upfront difference is offset by the long-term savings, and this difference will only decline with each year that goes by.
Saving on fuel also means saving on global warming emissions. In fact, over its lifetime, the average EV will produce less than half the global warming emissions of a comparable gasoline powered car.
EVs run on electricity, so how you will charge your EV is an important consideration. Since most drivers rack up less than 50 miles per day, charging a fully-electric vehicle on a daily basis is usually unnecessary. When you do charge your car, charging it when it&#;s going to be parked for long periods of time (like at your home or at work, if possible) is the way to go, and most of the time it's sufficient for day-to-day driving needs, even with basic power chargers.
The most basic way to charge an electric car is to plug the power cord that comes with the vehicle into a regular, three-prong 120V wall power outlet. That&#;ll charge your car at Level 1. It is likely that you will not require electrical upgrades at your home if you opt to choose to charge at Level 1 because the car will pull power no faster than other devices that are plugged into your walls.
Level 2 charging provides more power, using the same kind of plug as a clothes dryer. Many people prefer to have a Level 2 charger installed in their garage or on the side of their house to have the ability to charge more quickly or to have more flexibility in what times they charge.
Level 3, or DC fast charging, has two-and-half to 20 times more power than Level 2, depending on the kilowatt (kW) rating, and would add miles to the vehicle&#;s driving range much faster, although that speed often comes at a cost.
How long it takes to charge at any of those levels depends on how big the vehicle&#;s battery is, how much &#;fuel&#; in kilowatt hours (kWh) you need, and the power rating of the charger.
If you live in a place where you can&#;t install your own charger, websites like Plugshare can help you find the closest public charger. If your employer offers it, workplace charging may also be a good option for you. Websites like Plugshare can also help you map out road trips you are likely to take in your EV, and charging stations that cater to longer distance travel are growing as the gradual transition to an all-electric driving future continues.
You may be eligible to enroll in a smart charging (aka load management) program with your electric utility or a third-party provider. For example, many electric utilities offer time-varying electricity rates for just charging your car (if your charger is separately metered or submetered) or for your whole house (including you EV charging). You may be able to enroll in such a rate, depending on what your utility offers and what&#;s best for your needs. Under time-varying rates, your electricity rates at off-peak or super-off-peak times of day (like the middle of the night) can be very low, and doing most of your charging during those hours can save you a lot of money over time.
12 Min. Read
Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the global automotive industry. While more and more people are intrigued by switching to this more sustainable mode of transportation, EV ownership isn&#;t a decision you should take lightly. It demands a thorough evaluation of your circumstances, home environment, and driving habits to determine compatibility with EV ownership.
In this article, we&#;ll cover the top five considerations you should make before making the switch to drive electric.
This 5-step pre-buy EV checklist helps you consider the essential things you need before buying an electric vehicle. It explores aspects such as setting up home charging, your driving habits, and if you&#;re financially ready, and will enable you to make an informed purchasing decision that aligns with your needs and enhances your overall driving experience.
The first step in purchasing an electric vehicle is understanding your driving needs to determine which electric vehicles will be best suited to support your range and capacity needs. While your everyday vehicle usage will significantly shape the kind of electric vehicle (EV) that best fits your lifestyle, you should consider which aspects of vehicle ownership are most important to you and what features you would prefer to have, both for performance and comfort. Thoroughly review and research all models that meet these needs and schedule a test drive to ensure it meets your specifications.
Here are some key considerations to evaluate when determining your driving needs:
The range of an EV, or how far it can go on a single charge, are essential features to consider when buying an EV. New models can cover over 200 miles, while older ones might be limited to around 80. Your driving habits, temperature, use of accessories, and highway speeds can all affect this range.
Another critical factor is how often you travel long distances or take road trips. If this is a regular part of your life, you will need an EV with a high-range battery. This also means thinking about charging station locations on your usual routes. Charging during a road trip requires more planning than refueling a gasoline car, although the charging infrastructure constantly improves.
Don&#;t forget to consider the potential advantages of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane access, too. In many regions, electric vehicles are permitted to use these lanes regardless of the number of occupants as part of efforts to incentivize cleaner transportation.
Using HOV lanes can provide several benefits for EV drivers:
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Remember to check your local regulations, as the rules for EV access to HOV lanes can vary by region. Some areas may require unique decals or permits for EVs to use these lanes.
Your driving environment is another aspect to consider. If you&#;re primarily an urban driver, maneuvering through traffic and finding parking are daily realities. In this case, a compact EV might be a good fit. Alternatively, if you&#;re in a suburban or rural area, where distances between destinations are longer and roads may be rougher, a larger EV with a higher range and potentially more robust features may be a better choice.
Financial considerations play a crucial role when thinking about an EV. While they often have higher upfront costs compared to conventional vehicles, EVs can lead to significant long-term savings in several ways:
By factoring in these potential savings, , making it a smart financial decision in the long run.
When evaluating your budget, also keep these upfront costs in mind:
Understanding these factors can help you plan your budget, whether buying or leasing.
The variety of EVs is pretty expansive. Start by comparing models based on range, charging speed, size, and other features. Consider an EV with a high range and fast charging speed if you frequently drive long distances. However, explore other models if your daily commute is short and safety features or luxury finishes are priorities.
When it comes to EVs, the options are broad and varied. Start your comparison by considering key characteristics such as range, charging speed, size, and additional features. Online resources like EV databases and comparison tools can be beneficial in showcasing different models side by side.
Your driving habits should guide your choice. For instance, if you frequently drive long distances, prioritize an EV with high range and fast charging capabilities. Conversely, an EV with robust safety features or luxury finishes might be more suitable if your commute is primarily short distances or in-town driving.
Additional considerations might include:
Test-driving is a crucial part of choosing an EV, as it lets you experience firsthand how these vehicles compare to classic cars. Here are some aspects you should pay attention to during your test drive:
Remember, the best way to choose a car is to find one that feels comfortable, meets your driving needs, and gives you confidence on the road. Take your time and try different models to find your perfect match.
The first thing to consider when choosing an electric vehicle is your home charging setup. Unlike regular cars, EVs need a unique setup for recharging, preferably at home. Your charger setup can be as simple as plugging your EV into a standard electrical outlet or as complex as setting up a dedicated home charging station for faster recharges, depending on the charging level you choose.
You should also evaluate these essential factors when deciding on your charger project:
You should install a home charging station if you have a garage or parking space. This allows overnight recharging, ensuring a fully charged vehicle each morning. For homeowners, this is generally straightforward. Renters, however, require property owner permission.
If home charging isn&#;t an option, you should locate the nearest public charging station. The closer it is to your residence, the easier it will be to keep your EV charged. An EV might not be the best choice if the nearest charging station is inconveniently located or often busy.
In an apartment or condo, charging is complex but possible. Check with your property manager or homeowners&#; association for EV charging rules and options.
After selecting your ideal EV model, it&#;s time to look into the specifics of post-purchase services and warranty details. You should also explore any potential incentives and tax credits that could help you financially.
After-Sale Services can significantly contribute to your overall satisfaction as an EV owner. The reputation of the manufacturer and dealer can play a critical role here. Look into their customer service track record, how they handle maintenance needs, software updates, and any potential vehicle issues. Online reviews, current EV owner insights, or consumer reports are good starting points for this research.
EV warranties can significantly differ from traditional car warranties, often providing coverage for unique components such as the battery pack. Be aware of any notable inclusions or exclusions, which will ensure that you are not caught unprepared by unexpected costs down the line.
Finally, EV purchases offer financial benefits beyond fuel and maintenance savings. Governments at various levels as well as utilities often provide incentives to promote EV ownership. These incentives could include tax credits, rebates, or exemptions from specific fees. These offerings can significantly offset the upfront costs of your EV as well as the purchase and installation costs of your EV charger.
Each region&#;s incentives are different, so you should research what&#;s available in your area. Check government websites, consult with tax professionals, or use resources like the U.S. Department of Energy&#;s Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) to identify opportunities.
If you&#;ve been considering an EV, it&#;s essential to evaluate whether your home and daily habits suit this type of vehicle. Using a pre-buy checklist ensures you&#;re making an informed decision that will meet your needs and provides the best value, and Qmerit can help.
Our certified EV charger installers have installed more EV chargers and other electrification solutions than any other network or company in North America, and we set the standards for excellence, safety, quality, and service. All Qmerit-certified installers are fully vetted, licensed, background-checked, and receive specialized training and certification to ensure they&#;re the best at what they do.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Future Electric Vehicles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.