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What Should I Look For in an EV?

EVs or Electric Vehicles are powered by electric motors instead of the traditional combustion engine. There are many advantages to going with an electric vehicle over a combustion engine-powered one, however, EVs are still new to the car market and some people aren’t sure exactly what to look for in their EV purchasing. Let us break down the more important points you consider when searching for an electric vehicle to buy or lease. 

  1. RANGE: Range is one of the most important features you should be looking at when it comes to EVs. How far can you drive this vehicle on a full charge? When purchasing Hybrids, range is almost just as important but they have a combustion engine to take over when the battery runs dry; however, EVs only have a battery and when it’s done, it’s done. 
    For comparison, the longest ranged EV can go over 500 km on a single charge. Depending on your driving habits, an EV with a range of 200 km may be sufficient. Note, you may not drive 200 km every day, however if you do so once a year, this may become an issue as you might have to wait for charging. This brings us to our next point. 
  2. CHARGING: As the technology of charging a vehicle gets better, the time it takes to charge your vehicle’s battery. to full gets shorter and shorter. Generally speaking, most batteries can be charged to 80% in less than an hour, depending on the charging system. This isn’t noticeable if you’re just driving around town and charging your car at night, however, if you’re going on road trips, this can extend the length of the trip into hours more of time. You should also know before you take a trip where electric vehicle charging is available. This may also extend your trip. Take note; if you deplete your battery entirely, you may damage the batter or be required to take it back (I.e. tow it) to the dealership where they have a special charging station for that scenario.  
  3. CAN YOU CHARGE AT HOME: Charging at home is another consideration when buying an electric car. Home charging will most likely be your frequent go-to for making sure your vehicle has juice. While electricity is fairly cheap compared to gasoline, your home must have the capabilities for a charging station to be installed. Charging stations vary from brand to brand, however, it’s recommended you have a home with a garage that will allow a charging station to be installed. Folks who live in apartments or even condos might find it a little harder to have a space for your vehicle to charge. Some EVs and Hybrids use regenerative braking to charge their batteries and may not need a charging station, so make sure to know what your vehicle needs. 
  4. CARGO: There are not an abundance of larger SUVs available in EV models. You will want to make sure the vehicle you are looking at has enough space for your lifestyle. If you just need a car to take you to work and back, then a sedan is perfectly fine, however if you need to carry or load cargo, then you might want to choose a hybrid SUV or CUV as choices for them are more varied. Make sure to think about practicality of your vehicle. 
  5. REBATES & TAX CREDITS: EVs are a bit pricier than their combustion counterparts, however, your local government might be able to give you tax credits or rebates for your environmentally friendly choice of vehicle. Before your buy, check with your local government on what kind of rebates you may qualify for. Additionally, your local dealership might also have that information.  

There are many great reasons to buy an EV or even a Hybrid. General maintenance is usually cheaper than combustion engines as there is just fewer moving parts in an EV. Plus, you get the added benefit of saving the planet. Along with that, electricity isn’t subject to radical inflations as gas is due to the nature of electricity generation being domestic. Also, for folks who live in colder weather, electric motors will start in colder weather where combustion engines will just not start. While the initial sticker price of an EV may be more than their gasoline counterparts, over the life of your vehicle, you will probably spend less money on it. 

 Although there are many models of EVs available now, it is not wrong to wait until more models that fit your lifestyle better come to markets. You can always try out a hybrid first to see if you can adapt to an EV.  

The future of the auto industry is renewable energy, and one way or another, engines that run on fossil fuels will become obsolete. However, that sentence shouldn’t scare you. Auto manufacturers around the world are moving towards a cleaner future by making cleaner cars and soon you won’t even think about buying a combustion engine ever again. Welcome to the world of clean energy.