Why Electric Vehicles
There are so many reasons to go electric today! Here are just five of the multitude of reasons to drive an electric vehicle. Click on any to learn more.
It's Eco-Friendly
Electric vehicles produce 100% less carbon emissions.
In EVs, 80% of the energy goes towards turning the wheels, compared to a mere 20% in gas vehicles.
It's Cheap
An electric vehicle can save a family $800 on gas alone.
EVs don't require frequent or expensive maintenance. No oil change, no engine tune ups.
It's Healthy
Electric vehicles lower carbon emissions that pollute the air and make breathing dangerous.
Air pollution is now the biggest single environmental health risk and the cause of one in eight deaths worldwide, something EVs can help put an end to.
It's Fun
EVs are high-tech and fun to drive. Don't believe us? Come to one of our Ride & Drive events!
Evolve KY has a membership group of enthusiasts who will share your passion for driving electric.
It's Peaceful
Our membership includes people from all walks of life and sides of the political spectrum.
Not relying on gasoline gives us one less reason to go to war. EVs are peaceful.
Frequently asked questions
Why buy an electric car?
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You never have to stop at a gas station
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It is cheaper and easier to fill up — just plug it in.
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No oil changes. And, in general, much less to break or repair with so fewer parts than an internal combustion engine (ICE) car.
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With federal and local tax incentives, some electric cars can be comparable in price to a similar conventional car—maybe even less. Counting tax incentives in California and those from the IRS, the Nissan Leaf will cost some buyers only $20,280. And the state allows lone EV drivers access to carpool lanes even after that privilege has expired for hybrid drivers.
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Many EV drivers buy an electric car to make a statement about their environmental consciousness, to reduce foreign oil consumption, or to have the latest and greatest technology.
Why are automakers building them?
Automakers are investing in electric cars for a variety of reasons, including consumer demand, meeting new fuel-economy requirements, and zero-emissions mandates. Automakers have also found that some buyers want cars that express their social consciousness by symbolizing their reluctance to contribute to importing oil from unstable, unsympathetic regimes, anger over recent gasoline price spikes, and outrage over oil spills. In light of the success of the Toyota Prius with these buyers, electric cars and plug-in hybrids are a logical next step.
How efficient are they?
Electric cars are up to three times as efficient as gasoline-powered cars. That’s primarily because electric motors are 90-percent efficient at converting energy into motion, compared to 30 to 40 percent for conventional cars and hybrids.
What types of electric cars are available?
There are primarily three types:
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All-electric cars that run on batteries and have to be recharged.
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Plug-in hybrids that rely on electricity from a wall outlet and a gasoline engine.
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Extended-range electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt, that are a type of plug-in hybrid that runs purely on electricity, but when the battery runs out, an on-board engine recharges it. The gasoline engine acts only as a generator to provide electricity for longer trips, and it does not directly drive the wheels.
What models are available?
How much will it cost to charge?
What type of charger do I need?
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Level 1 is a 110-volt charger that can charge a plug-in hybrid or extended-range electric vehicle overnight, but would take more than 24-hours to charge a pure electric vehicle. They will usually be built into the vehicle and can be used for “opportunity charging” when another type of charger isn’t available.
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Level 2 is a 220-volt charger, which most electric-car owners will purchase to charge their cars overnight in their homes. A Level 2 charger can charge a pure electric car such as the Nissan Leaf, Mini-E, or the Ford Focus EV in 8 hours or less.
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DC fast charging. These chargers will primarily provide direct current at up to 500 volts. These chargers are installed in public places and can provide an 80 percent charge to a full electric car in under a half hour.
What is an EVSE?
EVSE stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Though not technically a charger, it is the box on the wall (or a post in a parking lot) that you plug an electric car into to recharge it. (Electric cars have appropriate chargers built into them.) The EVSE is the part that most people may call a “charger,” because it is an accessory that costs extra. For consumers considering an electric vehicle, a Level II EVSE for the garage should cost between $500 and $900, though prices are falling fast. Installation can more than double that amount, depending on the configuration of your house.
How much will a charger cost?
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Level 1 chargers are included with all the cars on the market.
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Level 2 chargers cost $400 to $800, plus the cost of pulling a dedicated 220-volt outlet to your garage or driveway, which may be significant.
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DC Fast chargers are expected to cost as much as $60,000 to install, and consequently will not be for home use. Malls, restaurants, or parking garages may install them, and they will probably charge by the hour for their use.
How big a circuit will I need?
While hybrid models such as the Chevrolet Volt and plug-in Toyota Prius have a built-in charger that can charge the battery overnight on a standard 110-volt household outlet, pure electric cars will require a separate charger that requires at least a 220-volt, 20-amp circuit. 30 or 40 amp circuits will charge faster. Any electric-car charger has to be on a dedicated circuit. Even plug-in hybrids will be much easier to live with if you have a 220-volt charger, which can cut your charge time in half.
Will electric cars work in the winter?
Using the heater, lights, and wiper (or to a lesser degree the air conditioner in the summer) can cut down on the battery’s charge. The batteries also have a little less energy in the winter.
How long will the batteries last?
As batteries wear, their capacity to absorb a charge diminishes. So the range of electric cars will diminish with age. General Motors and Nissan, the first two companies to introduce electric cars in the United States, are providing battery warranties of eight years or 100,000 miles.
Can the batteries catch fire?
They have in a couple of widely publicized cases in the Tesla Model S. But they don’t explode spontaneously and drivers have had plenty of warning and time to escape. Lithium-ion batteries are a lot less volatile than gasoline. Tesla has addressed the battery-fire concerns with a recall.
How large of a solar array would you need to power your car 100% on solar power?
DRIVE ELECTRIC RESOURCES
Beginner's guide to driving electric
Charger Installation
ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
Ford Fusion Energi SE Plug in Hybrid
Ford Fusion Energi Titanium Plug in Hybrid