Owning An Electrical Car: 10 Important Questions to Ask

Navigate the electric vehicle market confidently! Click here to learn the 10 essential questions to ask before owning an electric car.

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Ossian Muscad

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, with many manufacturers offering their own unique models. As a result, dozens more are expected to hit the market over the next few years. Just a few years ago, many people had never seen an electric car in person unless they lived in places like California or Florida, where electric vehicles are popular and readily available. Now, several automakers are offering electric vehicles nationwide.

If you’re planning to switch to an electric car, it’s important to do your homework. An EV is completely different from the gas cars most of us are used to, and there are many things to consider before making the switch. Transitioning from gas to electricity is a big step. So, before you take the plunge, you’ll need to know a lot of things. This article will share and answer ten essential questions about owning an electric car. That way, you will have all the information you need to assess whether or not switching to EV is the right decision for you.

 

Why Make the Switch to EV?

Before we delve into the actual questions, let’s first address the elephant in the room—the one question that hovers in the minds of most potential EV buyers: Why make the switch to EV? This foundational inquiry is vital because it underpins all the subsequent questions you’ll have about electric vehicles. The transition to EVs is not just about driving a different type of car; it’s about embracing a technology that is evolving to shape the future of transportation.

  1. Environmental Benefits: Electric cars offer significant ecological advantages over traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means they do not emit exhaust pollutants that contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gasses.
  2. Reduced Operating Costs: EVs are more energy-efficient than gasoline cars. The cost of electricity needed to charge an EV can be substantially lower than the cost of gasoline, leading to savings on fuel over time. Additionally, electric cars generally incur lower maintenance costs with fewer moving parts.
  3. Energy Independence: By powering cars with electricity, countries can reduce their reliance on imported oil, contributing to national energy independence.
  4. Government Incentives: Many governments offer incentives such as tax credits, rebates, and grants for EV owners to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, making the upfront cost of purchasing an EV more affordable.
  5. Quieter Driving Experience: Electric motors are much quieter than traditional engines, offering a smoother and more serene driving experience.
  6. Performance Benefits: EVs can deliver instant torque, resulting in quicker acceleration than many gas-powered vehicles.
  7. Innovation and Technology: Electric vehicles often come equipped with the latest technology, emphasizing connectivity, infotainment, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
  8. Higher Resale Value: As the demand for electric vehicles increases, they tend to retain a higher resale value than traditional gas vehicles.
  9. Convenience of Home Charging: With an EV, you can charge your car at home, avoiding trips to the gas station.
  10. Supporting the Transition to Renewable Energy: Electric vehicles complement the growth of renewable energy sectors, like solar or wind power, as they can use these clean sources for charging.

 

10 Important Questions to Ask Before Switching to an Electric Car

As you contemplate the shift to an electric vehicle (EV), you must arm yourself with the right information. The following questions are designed to guide you through the essential considerations of owning an electric car. From understanding the specifics of vehicle range to the nuances of daily EV operation, these inquiries will pave the way for an informed decision:

Do EV Cars Have Enough Range?

The range is one of the most important considerations when shopping for an electric car. The average EV has a range of about 100 miles, enough to get most people through a day of errands and commuting without issue. 

However, if you frequently take long road trips or drive in areas with limited charging options, you’ll want to ensure that the EV you’re considering has enough range to get you where you need to go. For that reason, you might want to go for the higher-end EVs that offer over 200 miles of range on a charge.

Can I Charge My EV at Home?

One of the most common questions that complete EV beginners ask is whether or not they can charge their EVs at home. Some might think that there’s a dedicated charging station for EVs and that there isn’t any other place to charge it. The short answer is yes; you can charge your EV at home! However, you will need to have a dedicated charger installed. This differs from the standard 120-volt outlet you might use to charge your phone or laptop.

An EV will need at least a 240-volt Level II charger to charge efficiently. An electrician can install this charger. Another good news is that many EVs come with these chargers included.

However, it’s also good to know that you can charge your EV on a 120-volt outlet. The only issue is that it will take much longer to charge. So, if you’re in a pinch and there’s no Level II charger around, a 120-volt outlet will do the job eventually.

How Much Does Electricity Cost?

While you won’t have to worry about gas prices when you switch to EVs, you will have to think about the cost of electricity. The good news is that, in most cases, it’ll be cheaper to charge your EV than filling up a gas tank.

How much cheaper? It depends on where you live and how much your electricity costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The US national average is about 13.72 cents per kWh, but it can be much higher or lower depending on location.

To better understand how much it would cost to charge your EV, you can use an online calculator like the one from the US Department of Energy. All you need to do is enter your ZIP code and the average price of electricity in your area.

Are There Any Tax Credits or Incentives Available?

Electric cars often come with various tax credits and incentives that can save you money. The amount of the credit varies by state, but it can be as high as $12,500 in California.

In addition to state incentives, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7500 for EVs. 

This credit is available regardless of what state you live in. To see what incentives are available in your area, you can check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

Are There Public Charging Stations Nearby?

While home charging is the best and most convenient way to juice up your EV, you’ll probably need to use a public charger at some point. Fortunately, the number of public charging stations is growing rapidly. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center of the US Department of Energy, over 46,000 public EV charging stations are scattered across the country.

What are the Maintenance Costs Like?

Just like classic cars, EVs also need some level of maintenance. But since Electric cars have far fewer moving parts than gas-powered cars, there are fewer things that can go wrong.

This means that you can expect to save money on maintenance and repairs over the lifetime of your EV. In fact, one study found that owning an electric car can save you over $4000 on maintenance and repairs throughout 150,000 miles.

Are EVs road trip-ready?

One of the biggest questions people tend to ask about EVs is whether they are road trip-ready. With most EV commercials featuring the car driving on the urban streets, it’s no wonder why people are skeptical about taking an EV on the long road. But the truth is that EVs are more than capable of long-distance handling trips. 

EVs have a few advantages over gas-powered cars regarding road tripping. For one thing, EVs are much more efficient than gas cars. This means you can expect to get more miles per charge than per gallon of gas.

In addition, EVs tend to have much quicker acceleration than gas cars. This can come in handy when trying to merge onto the highway or pass another car on the road.

How Long Does an EV Take to Fully Charge?

This is one of the most common questions about owning an electric car. And it’s a valid question since charging times can vary depending on the type of charger you’re using. If you’re using a Level 1 charger, the slowest type, it can take anywhere from eight to 24 hours to charge your EV.

However, if you’re using a Level 2 or Level 3 charger, which is much faster, it can take as little as 30 minutes to an hour to charge your EV. So, if you plan on owning an electric car, it’s important to ensure you have access to a fast charger. Otherwise, you might wait for a long time to charge your car.

Should I Buy or Lease an EV?

This is a question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. It will depend entirely on your personal preference and circumstance. If you like to trade in your car every few years for the latest and greatest model, then leasing might be a better option. However, buying might be the better option if you like to keep your cars for a long time. Either way, it’s important to research and determine which option is best for you.

Are Electric Cars Really More Environmentally Friendly?

The last question is the most common question people tend to ask about electric cars. After all, electric cars are often marketed as being more environmentally friendly than gas cars. But are they really?

The answer is yes and no. It will depend on how the electricity is generated. If the electricity is generated from renewable sources like solar or wind, then the EV is indeed more environmentally friendly than a gas car.

However, if the electricity is generated from fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, the EV is not necessarily more environmentally friendly than a gas car. But one thing is certain: EVs produce zero emissions, which are much better for the environment than gas cars.

 

Streamline EV Manufacturing with DATAMYTE

DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. Our Digital Clipboard, in particular, is a low-code workflow automation software that features a workflow, checklist, and smart form builder. This tool lets you digitize your EV manufacturing processes and streamline quality checks while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, a high-frequency evaluation of critical process steps, focusing on areas with the highest failure risk or non-compliance. Conducting LPA with DATAMYTE lets you effectively identify and correct potential defects before they become major quality issues.

With DATAMYTE, you have an all-in-one solution for streamlining your EV manufacturing processes, ensuring quality and compliance, and ultimately producing high-performing electric vehicles. Book a demo now to learn more about how DATAMYTE can benefit your EV production.

 

Conclusion

As we stand on the precipice of a transport revolution, the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) seems inevitable and promising. Owning an electric car offers numerous benefits, including potential cost savings on maintenance and fuel, improved energy efficiency, quicker acceleration, and a smaller environmental footprint when powered by renewable energy sources. 

With the expansion of public charging infrastructure and advancements in charging technology reducing downtime, EVs are becoming increasingly viable for daily commutes and long-distance travel. The future of personal transportation is electric, and embracing this change is a matter of personal convenience and a crucial step toward a sustainable future.

 

 

Related Articles: