How to Choose Your First Electric Vehicle You’ve done your research and you’re ready to buy your first electric vehicle (EV). What now? First, understand that not all EVs are created equal, so the first thing you should do is narrow down your options by deciding which features are most important to you. This guide will help you do just that! We’ll start with the basics, like types of EVs and terminology, then we’ll move on to how to make an informed decision about what kind of EV would be best for you, from both a financial and technological standpoint.
Why Go Electric?
If you’re brand new to electric vehicles (EVs), it’s a good idea to get your feet wet by purchasing an electric vehicle for your business. But if you already know about EVs and have a specific type of vehicle in mind, that’s great too! While there are some perks to owning and operating an EV, they aren’t right for everyone or every situation. Before deciding which kind of electric vehicle is best for you, there are several questions you should ask yourself: how often will I drive? What kind of road conditions will I be driving on? Where will I charge my car? Will I need extra power to move my equipment or cargo? How much time do I have for recharging?
Step 1: What are your needs?
First, ask yourself what you really need your car for. Do you have a long commute? Are there lots of hills around where you live? Is it snowy half of the year? These are all factors to consider when choosing your first electric vehicle. Your daily mileage, as well as other factors, will determine whether a hybrid or full EV is right for you. You’ll also want to look at both cars and trucks/SUVs. Both can get great gas mileage and go farther on a single charge; however, these options usually carry more weight and cost more than their sedan counterparts. It’s up to you!
Step 2: Calculate range
Before you even think about going electric, it’s a good idea to determine your daily commute and calculate how far you drive each day. You can also find information about your driving habits by using an app like Trip Tracker. Once you know how far you travel on average, try plugging that distance into Plugshare or another electric car-finding tool. That will give you an idea of which EVs are likely best for your commute.
Step 3: Battery types and charging time
The first step to choosing your first electric vehicle is deciding what kind of car you want. How often do you drive? Do you need a family car or a compact model for running errands? Most electric vehicles require charging stations, so if you don’t live in an area with public charging stations, it might be worth considering. There are also differences between hybrids and EVs—many hybrid cars contain batteries that can either be charged by electricity or by gasoline. But if your goal is reducing emissions and saving money on gas, then an EV would likely be more appropriate for your needs.
Step 4: Evaluate electric vehicles
There are two main types of electric vehicles on today’s market: battery-powered cars and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). How will you use your vehicle? Where do you park it? Do you need a lot of trunk space or would you rather have a smaller, more fuel-efficient engine? These questions will help you decide whether a PHEV or all-electric vehicle would be best for your needs. Before you sign any paperwork, do some research and make sure it’s legal to drive an EV in your state.
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