Common Questions About Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, with every major automaker racing to bring cars to market and most shifting away from building traditional gas-powered vehicles this decade. Electric vehicles are a great alternative to gas powered cars. They help lower your carbon footprint and they’re easy to run. Despite the growing popularity of electric cars, some confusion may still arise. Here, we provide answers to the most common questions about electric cars.
How Do Electric Vehicles Work?
Electric vehicles substitute an internal combustion engine for an electric motor. Power is derived from a sizable traction battery pack, requiring connection to a wall outlet or charging equipment, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment.
Electric cars don’t use liquid fuel, so there aren’t any fuel pumps, fuel lines, or fuel tanks. Because they run on electricity, they don’t emit any car exhaust from their tailpipes, making them more environmentally friendly.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Vehicle?
Charging times vary based on the charger’s power level and the vehicle’s battery size. A level 1 charger is the slowest option, and a full charge typically takes about 24 hours. The level 2 charger is the more common option that people have in their homes and find at public charging stations. With this type of charger, you can expect a full charge in about 4 to 8 hours. A DC fast charger is as its named, the fastest option and can add about 60 to 80 miles of range in about 30 minutes. Although not all EV’s are compatible with this charging level.
To have a more accurate estimate of your vehicles charging time, it’s good to check your specific charging capabilities for your EV. Charge times for electric cars can vary based on different factors, such as the battery size and charging capacity. Cold weather and other environmental factors can also impact charging speed.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Vehicle?
The expense of charging an electric vehicle varies based on local electricity rates and the need to pay for charger usage. In some states, fully charging an electric vehicle could cost approximately $7 or more. Using Fueleconomy.gov, you can find local free charging stations, as well as chargers that have a flat fee, monthly subscription or a per-use cost by time fee.
Consider purchasing an at-home charger for your vehicle, which costs between $400 to $1,000. Budget for installation or set-up costs like fees, permits, or maintenance. At home chargers can be more convenient and cost effective depending on your vehicle usage and daily schedule.
Can You Drive And Charge An Electric Vehicle In The Rain?
Yes, you can drive and charge an electric car in the rain. Electric cars are designed and built to operate safely in various weather conditions, including rain. The important components of an electric car, such as the battery, electric motor, and other critical systems, are typically sealed and protected from moisture.
Charging stations and connectors are designed with weatherproofing to prevent electrical shocks and other safety hazards. However, it’s always a good idea to exercise caution when plugging in or unplugging the charger in wet conditions to minimize the risk of accidents.
Are Electric Vehicles Better For The Environment?
Electric vehicles are more environmentally friendly as they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By not relying on fossil fuels or gas for power, electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. Charging the battery may increase pollution at the power plant, but driving electric vehicles still has lower emissions than gasoline cars, especially with renewable energy sources like wind.
What Is The Range Of An Electric Vehicle?
Some EVs are designed for in-city driving, while others can travel 300 miles or more on one charge. The range of gasoline vehicles has historically been a major advantage over electric vehicles, but improvements in charging infrastructure in the United States have narrowed that gap. Planning a long road trip with an EV is still more complex than with a gas-powered vehicle, but it has become easier over time. EV owners living in flat areas like the Plains, too, can go farther than those living in mountainous areas with the same type of electric vehicle.
How Does Temperature Affect Electric Vehicle Range?
The range of an EV can significantly decrease in cold weather due to battery chemistry limitations and specific power requirements, such as regulating battery and cabin temperatures. The battery range of a vehicle can decrease by 25-32% when driving at 70 mph in cold weather, compared to mild and warm weather. Even with air conditioning, 80°F weather is found to be the optimal temperature for battery range.
To preserve battery capacity and maximize range, warm up your car while it’s still plugged in before driving. This will save valuable energy that would otherwise be used to heat up the car’s interior. Warming up your EV while it is plugged in will also maintain the battery’s warmth, facilitating faster charging on the road.
Do Electric Vehicles Require Special Maintenance?
Battery assessments in an EV are more thorough for evident reasons, but typically, no. In fact, quite the contrary. As electric vehicles lack traditional transmissions or engines, they require less maintenance and repair. This makes them a cost-effective choice. Without the pistons, valves or other moving parts that require lubrication in an internal combustion engine, EVs do not use oil, have an oil pan, or require oil changes. Trained EV technicians perform maintenance and repairs, and these can happen at the dealership or at an independent repair shop.
What Is an Electric Vehicle Like to Drive?
Electric vehicles provide instant power from a standstill and operate smoothly and quietly, offering a highly satisfying experience. Even lower-priced EVs are capable of achieving acceleration times that surpass those of gas-powered muscle cars.
The driving experience in an electric car differs greatly from that of a traditional gasoline-fueled vehicle. The absence of gear shifting, and the utilization of regenerative braking enable the vehicle to begin decelerating as soon as the accelerator is released. You can typically adjust an EV’s acceleration level and the speed at which its regenerative brakes bring the vehicle to a stop. Many models feature a function known as One-Pedal Driving. Which enables the driver to control their speed solely by manipulating the accelerator pedal.
What’s The Difference Between An Electric Vehicle And A Hybrid?
Electric cars feature a battery rather than a gas tank, and an electric motor in place of an internal combustion engine. Plug-in hybrids are a mix of gasoline and electric vehicles, with a battery, electric motor, gasoline tank, and internal combustion engine. PHEVs use both gasoline and electricity as fuel sources.
Electric Vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions. While charging the battery may increase pollution at the power plant, total emissions associated with driving EVs are still typically less than those for gasoline cars. PHEVs produce tailpipe emissions when gasoline is being used as a fuel source.
Can You Get An Extended Warranty On An Electric Vehicle?
You can buy an extended auto warranty when you purchase your vehicle or before or after its factory warranty expires. If you plan to buy an EV extended warranty, keep in mind that many factory warranties cover EV batteries for at least the first 8 years/100,000 miles of ownership. Some car companies will replace your battery if total failure occurs. While others will pay for a replacement once the battery drops below a certain charging threshold.
A Mopar Extended Warranty will typically cover components such as the electric motor, charge port, onboard charger, EV battery pack and the inverter unit. Some providers also offer other perks such as emergency roadside assistance, travel benefits and rental car reimbursement.
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