The Truth About Electric Vehicles
Each month we're seeing record or near-record sales, and EV sales – compared to gas cars – are continuing to climb. It's increasingly clear more people want to drive EVs.
We know more people will switch to EVs because they're economical, environmentally friendly and are fun to drive. But as with any new technology, there are some misunderstandings. Some common myths about EVs still provide the biggest barriers to market growth. We're here to debunk the top five.
MYTH #1: I have nowhere to plug my EV in.
This is simply not true. There are plenty of places to plug in whether it's where you live, work or play. In fact, there are more places to charge your EV across the U.S. and Canada than there are Starbucks or McDonalds.
In case you missed it, TheEnergyCollective.com's Nick Nigro detailed his recent experience in BMW's new electric car, the i3, driving around the Washington, DC area. Nigro found that with a little planning, even taking a longer trip in an EV is not only possible but enjoyable. Nigro was able to rely on ChargePoint's mobile app for real-time information about which charging stations are available– even those not on ChargePoint's network. He was able to pick a hiking spot with nearby charging, and successfully make a day of it.
The U.S. Department of Energy also has an online database, mapping out charging stations across the country.
MYTH #2: Electric vehicles are too expensive.
Not only are EVs more affordable than ever before, they also let you save thousands of dollars on gas and maintenance. Gone are the days when you have to spend close to a hundred thousand dollars for an electric vehicle. Now you can actually drive one off the lot for about $25k. Edmunds recently outlined the top 10 cheapest hybrids and EVs for 2014, and even the most expensive on the list tops out at $26,820. And when you factor in tax credits and rebates offered at both the state and federal level, EVs have the potential to become even cheaper by thousands of dollars.
Also contrary to popular belief, electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain. They require less maintenance than their gas-guzzling counterparts because an electric motor is far simpler. A couple of years ago, researchers at the Institute for Automotive Research at the Nürtingen-Geislingen University in Germany found EVs are about 35% cheaper to maintain than combustion-engine cars.
Furthermore, the plug is almost always cheaper than the pump, even now with low gas prices. The national average gas price is $2.26 per gallon. The national average for electricity is 12 cents a kilowatt hour which equates to 98 cents for a gallon gas. Plus, a lot of public charging stations are actually free to use.
Estimates say drivers can save $13,000 over the course of a car's lifetime from lower maintenance and fueling costs.
MYTH #3: I commute too far for work, and my battery would die.
The electric range of most EVs more than cover an average commute so EV drivers needn't experience what's known as 'range anxiety' any longer. Depending on which EV you drive, you can typically go between 80 and 120 miles (and over 250 in a Tesla) on one full charge. That's enough for the average commuter and plenty for those who travel just across town to get to work.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, more than three quarters of commuting Americans drive 20 miles or less each way to and from work. At a level 2 charging station, which makes up the majority of public charging, it only takes about an hour to give you 20 miles. Then you can plug in while you're at work and have plenty of charge to return home.
More and more employers are offering workplace charging, and in turn, more commuters are realizing EVs are a reliable way to get to and from work.
Myth #4: Plugging in is inconvenient and takes too long.
It takes about 10 seconds to charge your car – you park, plug in and walk away. Unlike a traditional gas car, you don't wait until you're empty to fill up. Instead, you're charging wherever you're parked - whether that's running errands, shopping, eating, working or sleeping.
Plus, you also have access to fast chargers for longer trips or those times you need a quick burst of energy. At a fast-charging station, you can get about 40 miles in 10 minutes – just the right amount of time to grab a cup of coffee.
Myth #5: There's a limited selection of vehicles.
From plug-in hybrids to all-electric, there are actually plenty of choices. There's an EV for everyone. Plus automakers are coming out with new models all the time.
All Electric:
2014 BMW i3 from $41,350 with a range of 100 miles
2015 Chevy Spark EV from $26,685 with a range of 82 miles
2014 Fiat 500e from $31,800 with a range of 87 miles
2014 Ford Focus EV from $35,170 with a range of 76 miles
2014 Honda Fit EV from $37,415 with a range of 82 miles
2014 Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive from $41,000 with a range of 85 miles
2014 Mitsubishi iMiEV from $22,995 with a range of 62 miles
2015 Nissan LEAF S from $21,300 with a range of 84 miles
2014 Smart Electric Drive from $25,000 with a range of 68 miles
2014 Tesla Model S from $71,000 with a range of 208 miles
2014 Toyota RAV4 EV from $49,800 with a range of 103 miles
2014 Volkswagen e-Golf from $35,000 with a range of 85 miles
Plug-in Hybrid:
2014 BMW i8 from $135,700 with a range of 22 miles
2014 Cadillac ELR from $75,000 with a range of 37 miles
2014 Chevy Volt from $39,100 with a range of 38 miles
2014 Ford C-Max Energi from $32,920 with a range of 21 miles
2015 Ford Fusion Energi from $34,700 with a range of 21 miles
2014 Honda Accord Plug-In from $39,780 with a range of 13 miles
2015 Kia Soul EV estimated from $26,200 with an electric range of 93 miles
2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid from $99,000 with a range of 22 miles
2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In from $29,990 with a range of 11 miles
Coming Soon:
Audi A3 e-Tron
Chevy Volt (new model)
BMW X5
Mercedes C350
Mercedes S550
Hyundai Sonata
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Volvo XC90
Tesla Model X
EVs are quickly becoming the most obvious option for a new car. They're reliable, affordable, green, fun, and you can get just about anywhere. Hopefully debunking these myths will help EV sales pick up even more speed, putting the industry in the fast lane right where it belongs.
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