Busting the Top 3 Myths About Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are catching on in the United States, and for good reason: compared to their traditional gas-powered counterparts, EVs cost far less to maintain and you can “fill up” at home or on-the-go at one of the many public charging stations available across Kentucky and the U.S.
Most everyone acknowledges that plugging in is cleaner and better for the environment than topping off at the pump. So, why do EVs only account for one percent of the total market share of vehicles sold in the U.S.?
The two biggest myths are motorists’ fears that EVs don’t have the range to fit their daily driving needs and that they are too expensive.
But both of those claims are common misconceptions when it comes to getting behind the wheel of an EV.
A closer look at the facts indicates that there has never been a better time to buy an electric vehicle. Let’s bust some of the most common EV myths:
Myth #1 — EVs can’t go the distance. This is the most prevalent misunderstanding about owning an EV. Many drivers simply don’t believe that these battery-run cars can hold enough juice to get them through their routine driving day.
But these days, EVs average 200 miles per charge, and some can go more than 300 miles. To put that in perspective, the typical driver only travels 40 miles or less per day. Plus, EVs can be charged every night at home using any household outlet — which means you’d always wake up to a full tank every morning.
And for you out-and-about motorists who spend a little extra time on the road, Kentucky Utilities (KU) has you covered with 10 public charging stations in their service area.
But what if you’re driving in an area where public charging infrastructure is still evolving? Well, if you’re a two-car family, you can always use the EV for your daily work commute and reserve the gas-powered vehicle for those longer road trips.
No. Many new EVs are priced less than $30,000, and that’s before any available rebates or incentives which can be rewarded when buying electric. Used EVs are also on the market for under $15,000. And, it’s important to remember that with an EV you’ll actually save more money in the long run.
Electricity at home is far less expensive than filling up at the pump. On average, it costs less than half as much to travel the same distance in an EV than in a regular gas-powered vehicle. To put it another way, imagine paying 85 cents per gallon for gas to fill your car. That’s what you get when you drive electric. Just use KU’s Marketplace to see your estimated savings from making the switch to electric.
Myth #3: EVs require more maintenance. EVs don’t require engine oil, so there are no oil changes; there are no wires or spark plugs to swap out; and there are no costly mufflers or catalytic converters to replace. That’s less time at the service shop and more time for the important things in your life.
In total, maintenance on an EV actually costs 35 percent less than a gas-powered vehicle in a comparable class.
EV owners also get the added satisfaction of knowing they are helping the environment. With no tailpipe, EVs produce far less carbon dioxide–equivalent emissions. That means cleaner air for everyone.
If you’re interested in making the switch from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric one, or you have further questions, lge-ku.com/ev is a full-service EV pit stop, with answers to FAQs, plus information on the many different types of EVs, where to buy them and links to find available rebates, incentives and tax credits. The site also allows you to map out public charging stations near you, so KU can help power you through your day.