As Independence Day approaches, take some time to be thankful for this amazing country and all that it offers. America has served us in so many ways, and now it is our turn to pay America back. With pollution at an all time high, consider making the switch to an electric car. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, an electric car will save you money in the long run, and save our beautiful country from pollution and carbon emissions.
Charging an electric car is not nearly as expensive as you may think. Making the switch to an electric car will create lasting benefits, for you and the world around you.
What is an Electric Car?
They may seem complex or confusing, but electric cars are actually very simple. They are plug-in electric automobiles that are propelled by either one or more electric motors that run on energy from rechargeable batteries.
Electric cars are more expensive to purchase when compared to conventional automobiles. However, electric cars are less expensive to run and maintain due to lower costs of repairs and energy and will save you money in the long run.
As of June 2017, there are over 2 million electric cars in use globally.
The Benefits of an Electric Car:
Now that you know a little more about what an electric car is, you might be wondering, what is the point? Here are just a few benefits that come from electric vehicles:
- Zero Emissions: An electric car emits zero exhaust emission or pollution. An electric car will reduce your carbon footprint dramatically and have a large impact on the environment around you.
- Inexpensive Running Costs: The cost of charging an electric vehicle is much less than the cost of filling a tank of gasoline in a conventional automobile, almost one-third of the price! Making the switch to electricity could save the average driver almost $800 per year in running costs.
- Low Maintenance: Electric vehicles do not need the expensive care that conventional cars need to run. In a conventional engine, there are hundreds of moving parts which means a lot can go wrong. An electric motor has less than 20 moving parts, and therefore, much less problems that require an expensive fix.
Where to Charge an Electric Car:
There are a few options when it comes to charging electric cars. The electric grid needed to charge up is available almost anywhere, which means you are able to charge at home and on the road.
At Home:
- 80% of charging is done at home
- Special equipment may be needed to charge an electric car in your own home
- Level 1 EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) is the least expensive method of charging and does not require additional equipment besides a working outlet
- Adds 2 to 5 miles of range to a vehicle per hour of charging time
- Level 2 EVSE is more expensive and requires specific additional equipment
- Adds 30 to 60 miles of range to a vehicle per hour of charging time
On the Road:
- There are public charging stations throughout the country
- Websites like PlugShare and ChargeHub offer interactive maps that can show you the nearest public charging station
- There are now more than 10,000 public charging stations throughout the country
- Public charging stations usually offer Level 2 or DC Fast-Charge, which provides 60 to 100 miles of range in 20 minutes or less
The Cost of Charging an Electric Car:
The price of electricity is a fraction of the price of gasoline for a conventional automobile. Prices will vary depending on the Level of EVSE and the location of the charging station.
At Home:
- The cost of fuel for conventional vehicles is more expensive than the cost of charging an electric vehicle
- Fully charging a 100-mile range electric vehicle would cost around the same as operating a central air conditioning unit for just six hours
- Hybrid vehicles have smaller batteries and cost even less to charge
- The exact cost of charging at home varies, depending on your battery size and mile range of the car
On the Road:
- Some public charging stations are free!
- Others are now switching to a pay-as-you-use system, just like gasoline for conventional cars
- Prices vary depending on the location of the charging station and what type of charging you select
- There are different ways to pay for charging, such as Network cards, credit card, pay with your phone, or even just insert coins and bills
- On average, it can cost anywhere from $2.64 to $16.54 to fully charge your electric vehicle
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