Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular each year for several reasons, including that they’re more convenient and can offer a better driving experience. They’re convenient because you can skip the gas station line and charge your car at home with the charging station you purchased. These cars can also provide a better driving experience, as they can offer smoother acceleration and deceleration movements.

With the demand increasing, there are often several questions consumers have about them, and we’re here to answer the top 10 most frequently asked questions about EVs.

How Does An Electric Vehicle’s Engine Work?

Electric vehicles can plug into a charging port and gain their energy from the local power grid. From there, it takes the energy into the rechargeable battery to power the electric engine to turn the car’s wheels. These cars accelerate quicker than gas engines because they don’t have a fuel engine, making the EV lighter to drive.

Why Should I Care About Electric Vehicles?

There are several reasons to care about EVs because they can help protect the environment and your wallet. An EV can help save money because electricity is cheaper than gasoline. You can also save money on vehicle maintenance because EVs don’t require oil changes, spark plugs, or timing belts. As an EV saves you money, it can also reduce your carbon footprint more than a gas engine. By eliminating frequent trips to the gas station and replacing your car’s oil, you preserve your money and the environment.

Are Electric Vehicles Environmentally Friendly?

Yes, electric vehicles are environmentally friendly compared to their counterpart, gas-engine vehicles. EVs release a lower amount of carbon emissions because there are no tailpipe emissions. However, the electricity used to charge the car can generate some carbon pollution. The percentage of pollution it emits depends on the local power sources, such as coal or natural gas.

How Do I Prepare My Home For An Electric Vehicle?

The first step in preparing your home for an EV is to determine your charging type or level, either level one or level two. Level one EVs may take several days to fully charge, while level two EVs may only take several hours to charge completely. On level two, you may travel about 60 to 200 miles with 20 to 30 minutes of charging. The next step is to clean and organize your garage, if you have one, to ensure the EV and charging station have enough room.

Then, find your home’s power panel and assess your consumption to ensure you aren’t overloading it. You can also hire an electrician before purchasing your charging port to install a 240-volt plug. Finally, order the charging port and install it, making your home EV ready.

What’s The Battery Life Of An Electric Vehicle?

An EV’s battery life is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The typical battery life for these vehicles is 40kWh, which allows you to travel about 150 miles before needing to charge it. If you have a larger battery, such as the 100kWh, you can go about 375 miles before the battery needs charging.

What Do I Do If The Battery Runs Out While Driving?

Unlike gas-engine vehicles, there aren’t many options you can pursue if your EV battery runs out while driving. If this happens to you, it’s likely the only option is to call a towing company to bring your car to the nearest charging station. This makes it necessary to monitor your battery life and check for local charging stations to help avoid this situation.

How Does An Electric Vehicle’s Safety Compare To A Gas Engine Vehicle?

According to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), EVs are becoming safer than gas-engine vehicles. They’re safer because they lack gas in an internal combustion engine (ICE). Battery packs can combust but are less explosive than gas. EVs also have a lower center of gravity, making it less likely that the vehicles will roll over if you were in an accident.

Where Can I Recharge My Vehicle When On The Road?

When planning a road trip with your electric vehicle, it’s vital to plan your breaks strategically to avoid running out of battery life. You may find it helpful to download an EV charger app, which can show you the nearest charging station in Guthrie, Oklahoma, when out and about on the road. Using the app before heading out can help you plan where you would like to stop based on how far your battery can get you. If stopping overnight, search for hotels with EV charging stations to charge your vehicle while you rest.

How Long Does It Take To Charge The Vehicle Fully?

There’s no standard amount of time it takes every electric vehicle to charge fully, and it can vary by battery size, brand, and model. For example, some may take about 30 minutes to reach 80%, while others may require an entire day to achieve the maximum charge. Some other factors that can contribute to how long you may charge your car can include:

• The weather.
• A charging station’s power.
• The maximum sharing rate of your vehicle.

How Can I Recycle My Electric Vehicle’s Battery?

Before you think about recycling the vehicle’s battery, you can reuse, refurbish, and re-purpose it. Electric vehicle batteries are recyclable and easy to handle. Battery Recyclers of America offer a simple solution to help you take care of your old batteries. You can go to their website and schedule a pickup date when they come and retrieve your batteries to recycle. Then, they take it back to their facility to weigh and administer your cash payout for recycling it. An easy way to help you make some money while protecting the environment.

Here at Eskridge Chevrolet, we carry a wide range of newly built Chevrolets and pre-owned vehicles of various makes and models, including electric cars and hybrids. Contact us if you have questions about our assorted inventory. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible, or you can also reach a member of our team at 405-444-8379.

Image by Jenny Ueberberg is licensed with Unsplash License

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