Which kind of electric vehicle is right for you?

All-Electric Vehicles

All-Electric Vehicles have a battery and an electric motor instead of a gas tank and an internal combustion engine. "All-Electric Vehicles" or "Plug-in Vehicles" (not to be confused with Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) are sometimes also referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs). They run entirely on electricity and do not produce any exhaust from the burning of fuel.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal combustion engine. Some PHEVs operate exclusively, or almost exclusively, on electricity until the battery is nearly depleted, then the gasoline-powered engine turns on to provide power. Like Battery Electric Vehicles, PHEVs can be plugged in to charge the battery when the vehicle is not in use.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal combustion engine, and do not require plug-in charging (they are charged by the gas engine). HEVs can have substantial range on a single tank of gas, but they still burn fossil fuel, produce carbon emissions, require trips to the gas station and scheduled engine-maintenance. An HEV may be an ideal choice for those with extended commutes and limited charging system access.

Weather Impacts on EV Range

EV range can be affected by many factors, including driving behavior, terrain, and weather conditions. The following information will help you understand how to optimize EV battery health and performance.

Cold temperatures affect vehicle fuel economy, which can temporarily reduce driving range.¹ As the temperature lowers, the chemical and physical reactions in the batteries slow, resulting in short term range reduction.² Cold temperatures may result in slightly longer charging times and additional energy needs for battery temperature management (technologies vary by EV model). The variable you can control the most is the additional energy used for heating to keep you comfortable on cold days!

Hot temperatures can have a negative impact on vehicle performance and battery health. Storing and charging vehicles during extremely hot temperatures can result in battery degradation.² Additionally, air conditioning can use significant amounts of energy and will vary based on the air conditioning technology a vehicle utilizes. For example, vehicles utilizing “heat pump” technology may be more efficient than others.

The following temperature-adjusted range estimates were compiled using estimates derived from a study of 5.2 million trips by 4,200 EVs representing 100+ models. This study found that EVs perform optimally, in terms of fuel economy, at 70° F and while both hot and cold temperatures impact range, colder weather has a larger impact. ³

100° F results in 80% to 100% of the estimated average reported range
80° F results in 85% to 100%+
70° F results in 100%+
32° F results in 55% to 85%
20° F results in 45% to 70%

EV drivers should prepare for hot and cold weather by keeping vehicles charged up when not in use, ideally in a garage, where temperatures can be a less extreme. On hot days, it may be best to park in shady locations. Be sure to consult manufacturer guides for information about individual models and best-practices. Lastly, it’s important to note that gas vehicle efficiency is also significantly impacted by driving behavior, terrain, and hot and cold weather conditions.

EV Battery Information

Electric vehicle batteries are typically designed to last for the expected life of the vehicle, but battery life should be considered when calculating the extended cost of ownership, as all batteries eventually wear out and must be replaced. Battery replacement is typically costly, but keep in mind that gas powered vehicle equipment, such as motors and transmissions, have a lifespan too. The rate at which batteries expire depends on the type of battery and how they are used.

The failure rate of some electric vehicles batteries already on the road is as low as 0.003%⁴. There are also high mileage warranties on electric vehicle batteries available with many manufacturers. Several manufactures offer multi-year and 100,000 mile+ warranties on the batteries in their vehicles. Review manufacturer information carefully when selecting an EV model.

Emissions & Energy Efficiency

Emissions
EVs produce no tailpipe emissions. Even when the power is generated using fossil fuels, electric vehicles usually show significant reductions in overall global carbon emissions over gasoline vehicles due to the highly carbon-intensive process of mining, pumping, refining and transporting gasoline.

Energy Efficiency
Internal combustion engines are relatively inefficient at converting fuel energy to propulsion as most of the energy is wasted as heat. Electric motors are more efficient in converting stored energy into propulsion, and electric-drive vehicles do not consume energy while at rest or coasting. Additionally, regenerative braking can be used to re-capture energy during braking. Typically, conventional gasoline engines effectively use only 15 percent of the fuel-energy content to move the vehicle or to power accessories, while electric-drive vehicles have on-board efficiency of around 80 percent⁵.

Electric cars are not completely environmentally friendly as there can be significant issues to consider related to energy and material use in the manufacturing process. This may include energy-intensive manufacturing processes or the mining and refinement of chemicals and materials.

Carbon Reduction Info

Reduced Operating Costs

The average U.S. household spends nearly one-fifth of its total family expenditures on transportation, thus saving on fuel can make a big difference in the average family's budget⁶. Electricity is less expensive than gasoline and EVs are more efficient than gas-powered vehicles. Electric prices are also generally much more stable than gasoline prices. On a national average, it costs less than half as much to travel the same distance in an EV than a conventional vehicle. Your savings could be far more substantial if your current gas-powered vehicle gets poor mileage.

Savings & Charge Time

Reduced Maintenance Requirements

Battery Electric Vehicles (or BEV) require less maintenance than conventional vehicles because there are fewer fluids (like oil and transmission fluid) to change, and far fewer moving parts. EVs require minimal scheduled maintenance to their electrical systems, which can include the battery, electrical motor, and associated electronics. Because of regenerative braking, brake systems on EVs typically last longer than on conventional vehicles.

• No Oil Changes: BEVs do not require engine oil, thus there are no oil changes (normally required every 3,000 to 7,000 miles; requirements vary by automobile manufacturer)
• No Spark Plugs and Wires: BEVs do not require spark plugs and wires, thus no replacements (estimated replacement at 100,000 miles on gas engine)
• No Exhaust System: BEVs do not have mufflers or catalytic converters, two components of your exhaust system that can fail and result in expensive replacements.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) have an electric motor and a gas motor. Cars with gas motors still require the standard maintenance a regular gas-powered vehicle requires (oil changes, spark plugs and wires, exhaust systems etc.), but at less-frequent intervals.