Going Electric with Haldeman Fod | Hamilton, NJ
Going Electric with Haldeman Ford | Hamilton, NJ
If you had been alive one hundred years ago, you would’ve gotten the unique privilege of witnessing the dawn of the automobile, watching cars become the main form of transportation and getting to experience that brand new technology first hand. Today, you get to witness another major change: the advent of the electric vehicle!
EVs and hybrids are slowly but surely taking over American roads, and drivers today get to enjoy this cutting edge technology as they make the change and go electric! Considering the switch for yourself? Here’s what you need to know!
Why Buy an Electric Vehicle?
So, why should you buy an electric or hybrid vehicle in the first place? What benefits can it really offer you besides shrinking your carbon footprint? The truth is, electric vehicles offer so much beyond just cutting down or eliminating your gas usage and spending.
These vehicles also offer incredibly smooth and quiet driving, better handling, and responsive acceleration, making them fun on the road. They have a low cost of ownership due to their decreased fuel needs and maintenance requirements. Additionally, you might even be eligible for local or federal tax credits if you own an electrified vehicle, helping you to save even more!
Which EV Should I Buy?
Within the world of electrified vehicles, vehicles that use some amount of battery power, there are three main kinds– electric, traditional hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. Each of these types has its own benefits and drawbacks, like any other car, meaning that the choice of which kind you should buy is something very personal! One of the options will be the best and most practical fit for your lifestyle, and that’s the one you should go with.
Electric vehicles, for instance, offer the most environmental impact and the most savings on fuel and maintenance. However, if you often take long trips in your vehicle, you might want the additional flexibility of a hybrid that allows you to use gas in a pinch.
Traditional hybrid vehicles use a combination of a gas engine and motor. The battery for that motor gets charged as you’re driving by recapturing the kinetic energy the car would otherwise lose. They make great options for anyone who doesn’t want to plug a car in, but they’re often not eligible for the tax benefits that other EVs are.
Plug-in hybrids also use a gas engine and an electric motor, but like electric vehicles, they’re plugged in to charge their battery. These cars give you a great amount of flexibility, allowing you to rely on just gas if you have to for longer range. However, they can be more expensive upfront than regular hybrids, something you’ll have to take into consideration when making your choice.
Driving an Electrified Vehicle
It’s true that switching to battery-powered vehicles can be a bit of a shift in your routine, but once you make the small adjustments necessary, you’ll find it’s a change for the better! EV charging, for example, is daunting to a lot of people. They assume that they’ll have to have special charging equipment installed in their home. In reality, this isn’t the case!
There are three levels of EV charging, and Level 1 uses a standard household outlet, which you probably already have in your garage. It’s also the slowest form of charging, but it’s still an option, especially for hybrid vehicles.
Level 2 charging involves having special equipment professionally installed in your home. However, it’s much faster than Level 1 and ideal for fully electric vehicles.
Level 3 charging is only available at commercial charging locations. It’s the fastest by far, adding 60-80 miles to your range in about 20 minutes, making it the equivalent of visiting the gas station for a quick fill-up in the middle of a trip.
In addition to planning how you’ll keep your EV charged, you’ll want to take into account the different kinds of upkeep your vehicle will need, like caring for your battery. In much the same way that you want to avoid leaving your car outside without much gas in it when it’s cold, you’ll want to keep your EV out of extreme heat or cold, which can damage the health and longevity of your battery. You should alsoaim to keep the vehicle at between 20% and 80% charged on most days for optimal battery health.
Electric vehicles are becoming a staple on American roads, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. Whether you choose to plug in or not, or whether you want to keep gas as an option or go all the way to the other side, going electric can change the way you transport yourself and your family for the better.
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