There’s a lot of buzz going around about electric vehicles (EV’s), and it can be hard to sort through fact versus fiction. Here are a few things you should know if you’re trying to decide whether or not an EV is a good choice for you and your family.
Are EV’s really expensive?
All cars are certainly a financial investment, but EV’s are not priced considerably higher than conventional fuel vehicles any more.
The Tesla has almost become a household name and you’ve probably seen more and more of them on the road. That’s because they experienced double-digit growth in 2018 thanks to the introduction of their Model 3. You can join the Tesla craze by selecting one of several models that range anywhere from $35,000 up to $124,000 or more. Keep in mind that these prices are before any tax incentives and a major benefit of owning a Tesla is the expansive length of life in its batteries.
Other manufacturers are producing EV’s typically in the lower part of this same price range. For example, the Volkswagon e-Golf has an MSRP of about $32,000 and the Chevrolet Volt is at just over $33,000.
What’s the battery life?
Consumers have been worried about the battery life of EV’s because the replacement cost of a battery can be $15,000 or more (not including labor!) However, over the years, manufacturers have increased the battery life of EV’s dramatically. Today, most EV batteries are expected to last 8-years or 100,000 miles. In California, state law mandates that the manufacturer must cover batteries in cars sold there for 10 years or 150,000 miles.
Owners of EV’s can also extend the life of their batteries by choosing where they plug-in wisely! It’s easy to use that public high-voltage fast charging stations to “fill up” quickly, but those can degrade the battery’s performance and life long-term. Best practice is to use “Level 2” charging stations at home that take longer (about 4 hours) to charge a car, but keep the battery healthier for the long haul.
How are dead batteries disposed of?
Consumers have been concerned about the environmental effects of discarding dead batteries into landfills…and rightly so! We’re conserving natural resources so we should be concerned about what we’re putting back into the ground. The good news is that recycling facilities are popping up across America (Oregon included) to keep harmful materials from going to the landfill.
Would you like to learn more about electric vehicles and other alternative energy solutions?
Visit us at the Rogue Valley Clean Cities Coalition today! The Coalition works to enhance the livability and sustainability of Rogue Valley residents.
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