7 Benefits of Driving an Electric Car

Many drivers dread long commutes to work or school and back each day. With rising fuel prices and the environmental impact of carbon emissions from vehicles, racking up miles behind the wheel every day is also costly. Electric and hybrid vehicles offer a practical solution for daily commuters, and there are compelling reasons for you to buy one.

History Lesson

First, let’s talk a bit about the history of the electric car. Electric cars have been around for a long time. As a matter of fact, the first successful electric car was introduced in the US in 1890. By the year 1900, electric cars were all the rage, representing a third of all the vehicles on the road, and New York City even had a fleet of 60 electric taxi cabs. This success was short lived, however, as improvements to the internal combustion engine and the much lower cost of gas powered vehicles effectively killed the demand for electric cars.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and electric cars are now the latest and greatest thing, but why should you buy one? Here are 7 solid reasons for buying an electric car.

1. Zero Emissions

The most important reason for you to invest in an electric car is to cut down on CO2 emissions. An electric car has no tail pipe, so no emissions. The average gas powered car puts out around 5 pounds of CO2 for every 10 miles driven. By driving an electric vehicle, you eliminate those emissions and in so doing, you’re helping the environment.

2. Range Improvements

When electric cars were first developed, their range was less than 50 miles on a charge. While this might do for some city dwellers, the vast majority of us regularly drive far more than that. In recent years, improvements in battery technology have allowed auto manufacturers to increase the range of their electric cars to as much as 200 to 300 miles on a single charge. 

3. Infrastructure Improvement

So, if you buy an electric vehicle, will you be able to drive across the country like you currently do in your gas-powered car? With improvements in the network of charging stations, the answer is yes. More and more charging stations are being constructed across the US. The recent infrastructure bill passed by congress includes $5 billion dollars for the construction of charging stations. In addition, Tesla will soon allow owners of non-Tesla vehicles to use their existing network of 7,500 charging stations.

In addition to the fuel for the car, your older car may be burning oil. Over time friction cause some of the parts of your engine to wear down, and the result can be excessive oil consumption. If you’re having to add oil to your car between oil changes, it’s probably time to look at a newer model.

4. Lower Operating Costs

One of the biggest benefits to owning an electric car is the operating cost. The price of electricity per mile driven in an electric car is far less that the cost of gas. Because of the various fuels used to produce electricity, the cost of electricity is not prone to large price fluctuations like we’ve seen recently at the gas pumps.

5. Low to No Maintenance

Electric cars require very little maintenance because there are far fewer moving parts in an electric car. In fact, the costs of maintenance of an electric car are as much as 60% less than required in a gas powered car.

6. Tax Incentives

Purchasing an electric vehicle can qualify you for a tax credit of up to $7,500. This is not a tax deduction, but a tax credit. Whereas a tax deduction can reduce the amount of your income that can be subject to taxes, a tax credit for the purchase of an electric car can allow to subtract $7,500 from your income tax bill.

7. Electric Cars are Fun to Drive

Last but not least, electric cars are fun to drive. The high torque of the typical electric car means that they accelerate much faster than gas-powered models. Some models can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds! If you’re not interested in drag racing though, you’ll still enjoy driving an electric car. They’re simple to drive and they’re very quiet, which allows you to relax more while driving, especially on a road trip.

Where to Shop

If you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, you can check in with the experts at Yankee Ford. Ford currently has 6 electric vehicles in their line-up, and we are the premier Ford dealership in South Portland, Maine, offering a diverse inventory of both new and used vehicles to choose from. Our highly trained sales team is ready to help you select your next vehicle, and our certified factory-trained service technicians are equipped to handle all of your service needs. If you have any automotive needs in the Portland area, we hope you will stop by and let us serve you. For more information, visit our website or contact us. We hope to see you soon!