Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Vehicles
1. RANGE: How far can an electric vehicle go on a full charge?
It depends – mostly on the size of the battery, the weight of the vehicle, and driving conditions. Most of the latest 5-passenger EV models have a 60-64 kilowatt battery which gets them a range of 225-265 miles in ideal conditions. But many longer range vehicles are now on the market. They just cost more.
2. RANGE: How much does the range drop off in severe winter conditions?
The range of an EV can drop 20-30% in extreme winter weather.
3. MAINTENANCE: Are EVs more or less expensive to maintain than gas powered vehicles?
EVs are much cheaper to maintain because they have fewer moving parts. Life expectancy of an EV is at least 500,000 miles.
4. PERFORMANCE: How do EVs accelerate compared to a typical gas powered car? i.e. Are they fun to drive?
EVs accelerate better than an expensive sports car because of their instant torque. They are really FUN TO DRIVE!
5. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Are EVs really better for the environment?
YES! Even in places where fossil fuels account for most electricity production, an EV is responsible for substantially less emissions than a gas-powered car. And as the county shifts to renewable energy sources, EV’s green footprint will grow ever larger.
6. PRICE: How expensive are EVs to purchase and operate?
Generally a new EV would be more expensive to purchase but much cheaper to operate than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. An EV owner saves every month on not buying gas and little to no maintenance and the EV would last more than twice as long.
7. PRICE: What if I can afford less than $10,000 to purchase an EV?
Buy a used EV. It should be almost like a new car – unlike a gas-powered car. Or lease a new EV. Since monthly upkeep of an EV is lower you might be able to handle the lease payments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charging EV Batteries
8. CHARGING AT HOME: How do most EV owners charge their EV battery?
Most charge their EV battery at home in their garage at night on a 240 volt charging system. This system can add 20-30 miles per hour. You can charge using a standard 110 volt plugin but this would generally take too long for the newer 60-64 K batteries.
9. CHARGING COSTS: How much does electricity cost to charge your EV at home?
While the cost could range widely depending on how much you drive your EV and how often you charge it at home, your electric bill should only go up between $25 to $50 a month.
10. CHARGING COSTS: How much does a 240 volt home charging system cost?
The charger costs $400-$600. Installation by an electrician ranges widely. Some newer homes have 240V plug-ins in their garage.
11. PUBLIC CHARGING: How do you charge your EV battery away from home on long trips?
You would stop at High Speed DC stations for about a 10-30 minute charge – depending on your vehicles battery charging speed. Where High-Speed DC stations are not available you would use a 240 volt public charger.
12. PUBLIC CHARGING COSTS: How much does public charging cost?
High Speed DC Charging can cost from $5 to $20 per stop. Some owners get free charging from their auto company (esp. Tesla).
Charging at a 240 volt system is often free as a public service or just a few dollars. But you can only add about 20-30 miles in an hour.