How to Choose the Right Electric Vehicle

Do you need a car?

Car ownership is not without headaches— traffic, parking, insurance, and maintenance, to name some. It’s no surprise that many of us are asking, what are my other alternatives? Maybe your weekly commuting miles have shrunk as many workplaces now offer work-from-home or hybrid schedules. Maybe you’re interested in getting to more places by walking or public transit, or maybe you’re curious about e-bikes. Perhaps your household has multiple cars, and you are interested in subtracting one. Of course, there will be situations when you really do need a car, but instead of sinking so much money into car ownership, maybe using a car-sharing or ride-hailing service for those occasions might suffice.

The cost of car ownership is increasing. Data from AAA finds that the cost to own and operate a new vehicle is more than $12,000 a year. A car free-lifestyle can save you thousands of dollars. By not driving, you’re also dramatically lowering your annual carbon emissions. Additionally, alternate forms of transportation offer benefits in the form of added exercise and time spent outdoors, or time to reflect, read, listen to podcasts or music, or get some work done while taking that train or bus

What if I need a car?

If you live in a rural or suburban area where public transit isn’t an option and walking or biking are inconvenient due to long distances or car-centric planning, buying a car may be your best option for getting around.

If you need a personal vehicle, get the lowest emission vehicle that meets your needs and choose electric if you can. Regardless of your choice, a more efficient vehicle is better for the climate and cheaper to fuel. You can save on maintenance and fuel costs. On top of being cost-effective, state-based rebates or tax credits may be available for the purchase of certain used or new EV models. Check your state, city, or utility’s website for what’s available in your area.

If you own an older gasoline-powered car and you’re considering upgrading, the potential fuel savings can be significant since many older cars are less fuel efficient than newer cars. Over time, fuel and maintenance savings compensate for the initial price difference between a gasoline-powered car and a comparable EV, even before factoring in consumer incentives. The current upfront difference is offset by the long-term savings, and this difference will only decline with each year that goes by.

Saving on fuel also means saving on global warming emissions. In fact, over its lifetime, the average EV will produce less than half the heat-trapping emissions of a comparable gasoline-powered car.

How much car do I need?

This is a big one: how will you primarily use your car? Will you mostly be commuting to work as a single passenger, or will you frequently rely on your car for transporting your family, participating in carpools, and hauling around large items? A smaller, more efficient EV will come with a smaller battery pack, avoiding pollution associated with manufacturing the vehicle and offering the most climate benefits. Larger EVs may be better suited toward specific needs, but come with their own efficiency and cost tradeoffs.

Battery range is also a consideration for buying an EV. New EVs with battery range over 300 miles are now available from many manufacturers, making longer trips easier and making owning an EV for those without home charging more practical. However, larger batteries require more raw materials and cost more to manufacture. Some models are offered with multiple battery size options. Choosing a vehicle with lower range can be more cost-effective, especially for a car that will be used primarily for short trips. Also, increased availability of fast charging infrastructure means that even moderate-range EVs can make longer journeys.

With more than 60 electric cars and pickup trucks available on the market today—and more coming into the market over the next few years— finding the right EV for your needs is easier and more affordable than ever.

What about charging an electric vehicle?

EVs run on electricity, so how you'll charge your EV is an important consideration. Since most drivers drive less than 50 miles per day, charging a fully-electric vehicle on a daily basis is usually unnecessary. When you do charge your car, charging it when it’s going to be parked for long periods of time (like at your home or at work, if possible) is the way to go, and most of the time it's sufficient for day-to-day driving needs, even with a lower-power charger.

The most basic way to charge an electric car is to plug the vehicle into a regular, three-prong 120V wall power outlet. The power cord to do that may come with your car, or you can purchase a portable charger. That’ll charge your car at Level 1. It is likely that you will not require electrical upgrades at your home if you opt to choose to charge at Level 1 because the car will pull power no faster than other devices that are plugged into your walls.

Level 2 charging provides more power, using the same kind of plug as a clothes dryer or hardwired into a dedicated circuit. Many people prefer to have a Level 2 charger installed in their garage or on the side of their house to have the ability to charge more quickly or to have more flexibility in what times they charge.

DC fast charging is primarily found at public charging stations. DC fast chargers have power output much higher than a home charger, currently up to 350 kilowatts (kW), compared to home Level 2 chargers that have a maximum output of less than 20kW. An EVs charging speed at a DC fast charger depends on multiple factors such as the EV’s maximum input rate, the power level of the charger, and the temperature of the battery. Some EV models can now add over 10 miles of range per minute at the higher power DC fast chargers. DC fast chargers do often cost more than charging at home, so most EV drivers use fast charging to enable less-frequent longer trips.

If you live in a place where you can’t install your own charger, websites like Plugshare can help you find the closest public Level 2 or DC fast charger. If your employer offers it, workplace charging may also be a good option for you. Websites like Plugshare or A Better Route Planner can also help you map out road trips you are likely to take in your EV, and charging stations that cater to longer distance travel are growing as the gradual transition to an all-electric driving future continues. Many newer EVs also include navigation systems with integrated public EV charger data to make trip planning easier.

You may be eligible to enroll in a smart charging or what’s called a managed charging program with your electric utility or a third-party provider. For example, many electric utilities offer time-varying electricity rates for just charging your car (if your charger is separately metered or submetered) or for your whole house (including your EV charging). You may be able to enroll in such a rate, depending on what your utility offers and what’s best for your needs. Under time-varying rates, your electricity rates at off-peak or super- off-peak times of day (like the middle of the night) can be very low, and doing most of your charging during those hours can save you a lot of money over time.

What about long trips?

Electric vehicles are reliable for long trips and compared to gas-powered vehicles, they offer a smoother and quieter driving experience"

States across the country are addressing corridor fast charging through the National EV Charging Infrastructure Program, a program from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provides funding for public charging infrastructure on highways and other travel corridors. And some states are making additional investments in fast charging.

Improvements in lithium-ion batteries are making the range EVs get less of an issue with many passenger EVs capable of powering up for 200 to 300 miles on a single charge. For cars with a 300-mile range, that’s one trip between Seattle, WA and Eugene, OR; Tulsa, OK to Dallas, TX; Miami to Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL to Detroit, MI; or New York City to Washington, D.C. on one charge.

Does it matter if I live in a region with cold winters?

All cars (both gasoline and electric) have lower fuel efficiencies at colder temperatures, which decreases how far the vehicle can travel without refueling. However, because electric vehicles (EVs) do not have an engine producing waste heat that can be used to heat the cabin, the range loss of an EV may be more acute. Consequently, EV drivers may need to adjust their planning for when and how much more often they will need to charge. Newer EV drivers may not notice much of a difference. Drivers of older EVs with shorter ranges will need plan more carefully. The most important thing to know is that current EVs are working in cold climates like Norway, and new models will be even better at dealing with cold weather. For tips on getting more out of your EV when the temperatures dip, check out our explainer.

One last consideration...air quality

Driving a gasoline-powered vehicle is one of the highest contributors to climate-changing emissions, so limiting any trips powered by fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel is important if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Tailpipe emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles cause a wide range of health problems for everyone, and especially for low-income and BIPOC communities who are disproportionately affected by tailpipe pollution. Going electric means lower exposure to health-harming emissions for everyone in your community.