Electric Vehicles are for EVeryone.
Why Drive Electric?
Fewer emissions.
Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions. Generally, an electric vehicle produces a third of the emissions of a gasoline vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle produces less than half the emissions of a gasoline vehicle. The amount of emission reductions depends on your utility providers grid mix. An electric vehicle on Lower Valley Energy’s grid mix in can reduce emissions by 97%! Going from over 11,000 pounds of CO2 emissions to nearly zero.
Financial savings.
There are significant fuel costs savings associated with driving an electric vehicle that generally offset the upfront cost for a plug-in electric vehicle. In addition a federal tax credit, and state and utility incentives. The federal Qualified Plug-In Electric-Drive Motor Vehicle Tax Credit is available for PHEV and EV purchases from manufacturers that have not yet met certain thresholds of vehicle sales and ranges from $2,500 to $7,500 for new vehicle purchases, amounts is dependent on battery size.
It’s easy.
On top of avoiding filling up at the gas stations while charging at home or at work you will avoid the many maintenance visits that regular cars require. EVs have less moving parts and require less periodic maintenance. Even brake pad changes will be less frequent as regenerative braking will reduce wear on the pads. And even the driving experience is typically less of a hassle with the instantaneous torque and simplistic driving requirements.
Flexible Charging.
If you have access to personal off street parking, a garage or driveway with electrical access, you can charge over night. Plug-in at night and wake up with a full battery. There are many publicly available options throughout the region and more and more employers are offering workplace charging as an amenity to their employees.
An efficient machine.
An electric vehicle converts 75% of the chemical energy in the battery into actually moving the vehicle. A traditional gasoline vehicle can only convert 23% of the chemical energy in the fuel tank into moving the vehicle. An electric vehicle only has 20 moving parts, this reduces friction and wasted energy in the form of heat.
FUN!
The instant torque and acceleration of the vehicle makes it incredibly easy and fun to drive. The vehicle is also quite which makes the drive very enjoyable.
Example Emission Reductions
“Driving the average electric vehicle is responsible for fewer global warming emissions than the average new gasoline car everywhere in the US.”
— Union of Concerned Scientists, Are Electric Vehicles Really Better for the Climate? Yes. Here’s Why