Go Electric

Electric Vehicles 101

Purchasing a vehicle is always stressful, but making the jump to e-mobility brings its whole new set of questions. We hope these Frequently Asked Questions alongside our expert answers will ease some of your doubts. Then, use these interactive tools to see which e-mobility solution makes the most sense for you.

Aren’t EVs more expensive than gas-powered vehicles?

The sticker price for EVs is nearing parity with gas-powered vehicles, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. Plus, there are a variety of incentives and rebates available for first-time electric drivers depending on your state.
EVs are significantly cheaper to maintain. There are no oil changes and fewer moving parts that require repairs compared to fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Basically it’s tires, windshield wipers and wiper fluid. No need for oil changes or tune ups.
Some of the best selling pickup trucks and SUVs in the U.S. now have cheaper electric options, and there are over a dozen new electric models to choose from. Additionally, sites such as CarGurus, Carvana, and MYEV.com offer first and second generation EVs that can be less expensive than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles, accounting for lower fuel and maintenance costs.
The price of electricity is remarkably stable, and filling up an electric car at home has cost around the equivalent of $1 per gallon of gas for over 26 years.
According to a 2022 ZETA report, driving an EV is dramatically cheaper per mile than driving a gas-powered vehicle. Nationally, EVs are three to five times cheaper to drive per mile than gas-powered vehicles. For drivers in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, some EVs are five to six times cheaper to drive.
EVs will become even more affordable if Congress passes clean energy tax incentives—the proposed base EV tax credit in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act would reduce EV sticker prices by up to $7,500.

How do frontline communities and communities of color benefit from EVs?

EVs do not emit tailpipe pollution which leads to cleaner air. Widespread EV adoption would be particularly beneficial for frontline communities given that nationwide, low-income communities and communities of color are 3.6 times more likely to breathe dirty air than wealthier white communities.

Frontline communities and communities of color are disproportionately exposed to tailpipe pollution from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, which can lead to a wide range of health problems. Approximately 74 million people of color (57 percent) live in counties that received at least one failing grade for ozone or particulate pollution, compared to 38 percent of whites. EVs help create low-emission zones (LEZs) that improve community health.
In California, for example, primarily Black and Hispanic communities breathe about 40 percent more particulate matter from cars, trucks and buses compared to predominantly white communities. Oakland residents are exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels at least twice as high compared to areas that federal surveyors in the 1930s designated as “best,” or most favored for investment. EVs have helped many California communities improve their air quality.

Don’t EVs have limited range?

EVs on the road today can have a range that covers almost all drivers’ commutes and daily activities. Most EVs now have over 200 miles of range on a single charge — and the median distance for 2020 or newer models is 250 miles, according to the Dept. of Energy. Models with over 400 miles of range are coming onto the market soon.
The range of EVs has increased by roughly 15 percent on average in the last few years, and the infrastructure for physical charging points is constantly expanding.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan dedicates $5 billion of federal funding to build an electric grid across the United States. Upon completion, drivers will have a charging station every 50 miles along alternative fuel corridors (mostly interstate highways).
Having concern about EVs’ distance capabilities is often referred to as “range anxiety,” and it generally has more to do with the psychology of making the paradigm shift from vehicles powered by internal-combustion engines to electric-powered ones. This anxiety is relieved once you learn about the variety of charging options and as community charging options are continuously expanded.

How long does it take to charge an EV?

Charging time varies depending on the capacity of the car’s battery and state of charge.
- Level 1 allows drivers to plug their EVs into conventional 120-volt wall outlets. They take about 24 hours to fully charge.
- Level 2 is the most common for EV owners and reaches up to 26 miles per hour of charging.
- Level 3 is the fastest but not widely available. It can fully charge an EV battery in 30 minutes.
There are more than 35,000 public charging stations across the U.S. Many of them are free or cost $1-2/per hour, much less than a gallon of gas.
There are several charging networks and apps to help you locate nearby chargers. Many EVs also have built-in navigation to direct you to the nearest charger.

Incentive Calculator

This EV quiz from the Sierra Club recommends the EV best suited for your lifestyle – based on family size, charging accessibility, and budget.

Savings Calculator

ChooseEV’s Savings Calculator helps you determine exactly how much money you’ll save at the pump. You can calculate savings compared to your current vehicle, and determine how much you spend annually on a gas vehicle compared to an electric one.

EV ACRONYM GRAPHIC HERE

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