PURCHASING/LEASING AN EV
March 30, 2022Make the switch
Make the switch to an EV
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THE SWITCH TO AN ELECTRIC CAR NOW
The climate crisis requires immediate, drastic cuts in gasoline use. It’s greener to get a new EV now than to drive your gas car into the ground — especially if you use a lot of gasoline.
For big gasoline users, it’s generally cheaper to drive an EV in terms of monthly costs from Day One — even with an auto loan.
Check out Coltura's cost savings calculator here to find out how much you could save by going electric!
And remember, you won’t ever have to go to the gas station again. Most people simply plug their vehicle in at night and that’s all the charge they need daily. There are fewer parts to malfunction (about 20 vs 2,000 in a gas-powered car), so your EV will generally be much easier to maintain too. That means even more savings. EV maintenance costs are roughly half those for gas cars.
The Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Drive An EV
AND WHY ELECTRIC CARS ARE BETTER THAN GAS CARS
SAVE MONEY
In many states EV drivers spend 3 to 6 cents per mile on fuel, compared to 10 to 30 cents per mile in a gas car, adding savings of up to $800 to $1,000 a year.
Overall, EV drivers cut fuel costs by 60%, and spend half as much on maintenance and repairs over the life of the vehicle.
These savings can add up to $6,000 - $10,000 over your car’s lifetime!
(Note: The figures above were calculated before gas prices skyrocketed with the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Now the savings of going electric are even greater!)
IMPROVE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND SAVE THE CLIMATE
Every gallon of gasoline burned powering our cars adds toxic emissions and 20 pounds of carbon dioxide to our atmosphere, polluting our air and driving climate change.
Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions — in fact, they don’t even have a tailpipe!
How clean your EV is depends on how electricity is made where you live. In every state, EVs are cleaner than gas cars and getting cleaner as more of the electric grid is powered by renewable energy.
ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Fuel on your own time: at home, at work, or while you sleep. Unlike gasoline cars, which can only be fueled at gas stations, EVs can be fueled wherever there’s electricity.
All EVs come with a charger that plugs into a regular household 110-volt outlet. If you have access to an electrical outlet, you can add 40 to 60 miles of charge to your car every night while you sleep. For most commutes, that’s more than enough.
Drive an electric car today!
Your concierge service is here to find you the best price on an EV and save time and hassle.
SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU SWITCH TO AN EV YOU…
- Send a signal to automakers that demand is increasing for EVs — and get them to increase production!
- Bring a new EV into the market, that becomes a used EV for someone else when you sell it or end your lease;
- Become an influencer, Sparking a proven “neighborhood effect” — your neighbors learn about your EV and gain confidence to get an EV themselves.
How to choose an EV
TRY OUT AN EV
Private EV owners use platforms like Turo to let you drive their car for a day, a weekend or a week. You can charge an EV by plugging into an ordinary 110 volt electrical outlet at home and get 40 to 60 miles of range overnight. If you need more range, you can charge at a public charging station with your credit card. Find nearby chargers here.
FIND THE PERFECT FIT
No matter where in the country you live, Pacific Gas & Electric’s tool can help you find your perfect match EV, based on your commute distance and budget. It calculates monthly and lifetime savings based on your local gasoline prices and the interest rate on your auto loan, too!
FIND EV INCENTIVES
Discover which EV rebates and incentives you qualify for based on your income and where you live. Note that many incentives are “stackable”, meaning you can combine them. Incentives can total $12,000 or more! Or avoid the hassle, and get a concierge service like Cartelligent to find you the best deal with all available incentives.
Should You Buy A Used Electric Car?
LOOKING TO DOUBLE OR EVEN TRIPLE YOUR SAVINGS?
CONSIDER BUYING A USED EV.
EV batteries are warranted for at least eight to ten years/100,000 miles, but on average they last around 200,000 miles. This, plus significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs than used gas cars mean that used EVs offer drivers annual savings of 25%, or much more for people who use a lot of gasoline.
Should You Lease An EV?
LEASE AN EV FOR LOWER MONTHLY COSTS THAN YOU PAY WITH YOUR GAS CAR!
Some automakers offer excellent EV lease deals from time to time. Plus, with EV technology improving so quickly, a typical 3-year lease lets you get a new and improved EV after a few years. Check out the EV lease deals currently on offer.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT EVS?
The Plug In America EV Support Program connects prospective electric vehicle drivers with experts for one-on-one, personalized assistance with questions about vehicles, charging, incentives and more, answering questions like:
How can I get charging equipment in my home?
How does the federal EV tax credit work?
What does it cost to charge an electric car?
From A Gasoline Car To An EV: Steps In The Right Direction
If you feel you don’t yet know enough about how to get off of gasoline, or are just uncertain, here are some ways to get started:
- Write down how many miles you drive on a normal day, and use that to determine how many miles of range you will need to feel comfortable driving an EV.
- Consider how many long road trips you take each year. For each, can you afford to stop for 30 minutes every 200 miles or so to recharge? If not, can you use a 2nd car for those trips? Consider the option of switching to an EV for the majority of your driving, and renting a hybrid or gasoline car for the few times you need it. The savings from driving electric will likely far outweigh the rental costs.
- Start following Facebook owner group pages of the makes and models you’re considering, such as the Chevy Bolt EV Owners Group.
- Rent, borrow or test drive an electric vehicle this month, to get a feel for how they drive and what might be right for you.
- Commit that your current vehicle will be your last gasoline vehicle.
Interested in doing more to fight for a gasoline-free America?
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Making The Switch To An EV Conclusion
If you are asking should you get an electric car versus a gas car: the answer is YES! You now know why electric cars are better than gas cars and you have more options to drive an EV than ever before.
We appreciate you giving EVs consideration over a gas vehicle. The less gasoline is burned, the better for everyone.
If you do get an electric car, send a photo of you and the car to info@coltura.org, and we’ll celebrate by posting it on our website!
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