There is no doubt, 2021 will be a ground breaking year for electric vehicles (EVs). Countries are also imposing new regulations to cease the production of combustible engines in the near feature entirely. More and more manufacturers are releasing new models of EVs that are getting better performance and mileage than their predecessors and this has many people debating whether an EV is the right move for them. Before you end up getting into an EV, you may want to consider the following.
Range capabilities
When you are selecting an EV you’ll come across a variety of models with different power levels and of course range capabilities. It is important to know how far the EV can go based on your driving needs. If you are normally towing a trailer and need an EV capable of doing that, make sure you check the capabilities and limits. Be aware, towing will decrease any range as well.
Charge capabilities
When you are selecting a EV for you, make sure it’ll work for you home and available charging infrastructure. Also be aware that home chargers are usually not free (depending on make and model), so it’s an additional cost you’d have to figure out. Most of these home chargers operate using a 240V conduit, which may or may not work on your home’s power grid. You should find out exactly what kind of power the EV you want will require to be charged and then confirm with your local power authority and an electrician that it’s possible. If you reside in a condo building or a rental, you should ensure the condo board or property owner is supportive of putting in charging infrastructure as they probably won’t allow you to do it on your own.
Charge network
You may have seen Tesla’s charge stations scattered around the country and readily available but this might not be true for all the manufacturers. You should be aware of the limitations of charging your EV outside of the manufacturer’s charge network and your driving needs. For example, if your EV has a range of 150 miles and requires 2 hours to charge using a regular 240V charger, then that might not necessarily work for you.
Know your incentives
There are a ton of incentives from different levels of government and manufacturers to get you into an EV. Especially if you are considering a battery-electric vehicle, which can sometimes have double the amount of an incentive offered for a regular electric vehicle. Depending on your state, and country, you can get $3000-$8000 off an EV just for buying one. This of course is stacked onto any additional discounts or deals the dealer can offer you. Happy driving!
