Electric Cars 101: The Answers to All Your EV Questions

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Electric Cars 101: The Answers to All Your EV Questions

Date posted : 11/08/2019 - 6:00 PM

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common, with many manufacturers currently offering models that plug in. There are dozens more models expected to hit the market over the next few years.

And there's been increasing interest from car shoppers. In 2010, just 1,919 EVs were sold in the U.S. In 2018, sales hit 233,411.

2019 survey, conducted by Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), shows that 63 percent of prospective car buyers in America are interested in electric vehicles.

Overall, 31 percent would consider one for their next purchase, 27 percent would consider one at some point down the road, and 5 percent say they are definitely planning on buying or leasing one for their next vehicle. This last number would mark a big escalation in electric car purchases in the U.S.

A growing number of consumers may be interested, but most have had limited experience with electric vehicles, despite that some EVs have been on the market for years, including models from ChevroletFordHondaNissan, and Tesla. And many consumers naturally will have questions about how an electric car might fit into their lives.

This guide is a basic primer that can help determine whether “going electric” is right for you.

What Models and Types Are Available?

Electric vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, from small hatchbacks to luxury SUVs. Some are electric versions of familiar models, others are all-new vehicles engineered to strictly use electric power.

There are two basic kinds of plug-ins: Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that run exclusively on electricity, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can run on electricity for a limited distance before switching to gas/electric hybrid mode.

Below is a list of models that are on sale now or are scheduled to be by the end of 2019.

Hatchback

Sedan

Luxury

SUV/Minivan

Plug-In Hybrid vs. Pure Electric

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can operate on electric power alone for anywhere from 10 miles to 50 miles. Once their battery power is depleted, plug-ins transition from running on electricity to being powered by the gasoline engine mode to extend their range, allowing them to drive about as far as a regular car, and they can quickly refuel at a typical gas station.

Plug-in hybrids are an appealing option for drivers who travel mostly short distances, and can benefit from operating on electricity most of the time. But those owners can still get the ultimate range of a gasoline engine when needed.

Battery electric vehicles are very efficient, and most newer models have enough range to satisfy the needs of a typical driver for multiple days without fully recharging. For most drivers, this means daily energy usage can be replenished from a simple 110-volt outlet, without the need to purchase and install a 240-volt charger. Battery electric vehicles have fewer components than a plug-in hybrid or an internal combustion engine vehicle, and so they often have lower maintenance costs—no oil changes necessary!

Chevrolet Volt parked for charging
 

Why Should I Buy an Electric Car?

Electric cars offer significantly lower fuel costs compared to traditional, gas-powered cars. On average, a gallon of gasoline costs about twice as much as the comparable cost to run an electric car. That’s especially true if drivers take advantage of off-peak electricity rates while charging at home. And electric rates tend to be more stable than oil prices. (Compare how much you’d save in your state using the Deptartment of Energy’s eGallon tool.) 

Lower Operating Costs

  • EVs have overall lower energy costs.

  • Most EVs have lower maintenance costs because they have fewer and simpler components and don’t require oil changes.

  • When combined with a home solar system, “fuel” costs could be completely eliminated.  

Lower pollution

  • EVs produce no particulate or smog-causing tailpipe emissions, which are a significant contributing factor in causing asthma and other air pollution-related illnesses.

  • EVs have lower carbon emissions than gasoline powered vehicles over their service life.

Unique features

  • EVs are quiet, due to their lack of engine noise.

  • Most EVs provide instant power and can be fun to drive.

  • Charging at home is convenient.


Why Shouldn’t I Buy an Electric Car?

EVs cost more on average than typical gas-powered cars, and despite significant advances in range, they may not be ideal for some one-car households. Plug-in hybrids solve the range problem, but they still need a place to plug in to take full advantage of their propulsion system.

Electric vehicle owners need to have ready access to an outlet (or 240-volt battery charger) and a parking spot for overnight charging, unless they are relying entirely on workplace charging. 

For EV drivers, planning when and where the car will be charged is a constant part of ownership.

Unlike refuelling a gas car, which takes only a few minutes, recharging an EV can take 25-60 minutes (depending on the battery size and charging speed) using fast chargers and several hours with slower, Level 2 chargers (see below for more details on levels). Note also that in cold weather or extreme heat, the range plummets dramatically.

Of course, an EV doesn't have to be somebody's only car. A conventional gas-powered car can fill in where a pure EV falls short—and vice versa—in a multi-car household.

The main questions to ask yourself:

  • How many miles do I drive each day?
  • Do I have regular access to charging at home or at work?
  • How much would the electricity costs be?
  • Do I need a faster charging option, or can I charge overnight with a regular outlet?
  • How often do I travel beyond the electric range?
  • Are there charging stations in my local area or travel corridors? (Check out PlugShare.com and the Energy Department's Alternative Fuels Data Centerand related apps.)  

What's the Cost to Buy?

Base prices start at about $30,000 for the Hyundai Ioniq and Nissan Leaf. From there, prices run the gamut and span into six figures for a Tesla Model S and Model X. In some cases, those prices are thousands more than similarly-sized gas-powered cars.

But many electric cars are eligible for up to a $7,500 federal tax credit to help offset the extra cost. Additional city and state tax credits, rebates, or vouchers are available in California, Colorado, New York, Texas, and elsewhere that can make the costs of electric cars more compelling and competitive with the price of non-EVs. Plus, consumers with a home solar system can really lower or even eliminate their energy costs.

Under current rules, once an automaker sells 200,000 electric cars, the value of the tax credit decrease and eventually fades away. So far, this has impacted only two automakers, General Motors and Tesla. However, Congress is considering a plan that would expand the federal tax credit, including increasing the number of electric cars from each automaker that is eligible for the credit, so this limitation may change. Be sure to consult your accountant to determine eligibility for receiving a tax credit. Check current status for credits being offered with the IRS.

It pays to do your homework and look beyond the sticker price to find out how much you’d actually be paying after state, federal, and local incentives, as well as local lease offers. You may be surprised to find that some EVs are more affordable than you think.

Audi E-tron Electric Car plugged in
 

What Are They Like to Drive?

We’ve found most electric cars deliver instant power from a stop, and they are both smooth and quiet when underway. The driving experience is quite different from a traditional gasoline-fueled car, as EVs feel like they glide effortlessly.

Most electric vehicles we’ve tested ride comfortably. Despite their heavy batteries, they typically handle well because that battery has been placed low in the vehicle, plus they lack a heavy engine above the front axle.

Check out our full EV ratings.


How Far Can They Go?

Most all-electric cars can now go more than 200 miles on a full charge—much less than the typical 350-400 mile range for gasoline cars. We found that the EPA rated range is quite accurate for EVs, however, hilly terrain and running the air conditioning in hotter weather can also exact a toll. And driving in cold weather will shorten the range noticeably, due to the power required to heat the cabin. 

Driving an EV requires planning. But plug-in hybrids have a combined gasoline and electric range of 400 to 550 miles, and if you plan it right, you may never have to go to a gas station, except for long trips.

Below are 10 example EVs, with their EPA-rated range. For plug-in hybrids, a total range that combines electric and gasoline power is shown in parentheses.

VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL

EPA-RATED DRIVING RANGE ON SINGLE CHARGE (MILES)

Audi E-Tron 204
Chevrolet Bolt 238
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 32 electric / 520 total
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV 29 electric / 630 total
Hyundai Kona EV 258
Kia Niro EV 239
Nissan Leaf Plus 226
Toyota Prius Prime 25 electric / 640 total
Tesla Model 3 Long Range 310
Volkswagen eGolf 125
 

Electric Cars 101: The Answers to All Your EV Questions