THE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS FROM FIRST-TIME EV BUYERS

As sales of electric vehicles continue to grow, so do the number of questions curious shoppers have when considering making the switch to a fully electrified car, truck or SUV. Undoubtedly, the experience of driving and owning an electric vehicle is different from the traditional one for a gas-powered vehicle. To help first-time EV shoppers, the automotive experts address the most common concerns car shoppers have about going electric.

SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT RANGE ANXIETY?

It’s true, no matter its price tag or performance, every EV only travels so far before the driver needs someplace to charge the vehicle’s battery. Thankfully, more and more EVs have enough range to satisfy a wide range of buyers. Consider how many miles you drive on an average day. Chances are, it’s well below what a new EV is capable of. Many models are now capable of driving more than 300 miles on a full charge. As long as you’re not somebody who drives a car until it’s sputtering on its final remaining drops of fuel, you should be fine.

The trickier issue is range while making longer highway trips of hundreds of miles. These can potentially require multiple stops to charge. Range still won’t likely be an issue as long as you plan ahead, but the extra time required for stopping and charging can be a hassle compared to the convenience of fueling a gas-powered vehicle.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO CHARGE MY EV?

An EV owner’s home, where a dependable and well-maintained charge point is ready and waiting, is typically the best place. Having a dependable recharging spot takes away much of the stress car shoppers have about EVs.

There are different levels of charging. The most common method is what is sometimes referred to as Level 2 charging. It uses a 240-volt power source, similar to what operates large appliances like a stove and clothes dryer. Level 2 can usually fully charge an EV battery overnight.