The future of cars is definitely electric, and there are multiple reasons why. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle (or a used one), there are seven significant reasons we encourage you to buy an electric car.
For some, the benefits are environmental, while others care more about the financial benefits of owning an electric car. As you decide, the following facts give you something to think about.
Undoubtedly, electric vehicles are better for the environment than their gas-dependent counterparts. According to the EPA, the general transportation sector is responsible for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions. While most people equate “better for the environment” with climate change issues, the pollutants making up greenhouse gas emissions are equally - if not more - harmful to our health.
The Harvard School of Public Health posted information about fossil fuel emissions and health, stating fossil fuel pollutants are responsible for or statistically linked to the following:
The more you can do to reduce fossil fuel emissions, the healthier you, your family, and the general public will be.
Those of us living in the Bay Area of California is painfully aware of the rising fuel costs and their impact on our household budgets. EVs significantly reduce fuel costs, especially for those who have solar panels on their homes or who use solar-powered EV charging stations to charge their vehicles.
Most EV owners save an average of $1000 per year on fuel costs, and those savings increase every time the prices at the pump go up.
In addition to fuel savings, electric vehicle owners spend far less on vehicle maintenance costs. One reason for this is that many EV manufacturers build routine maintenance services into their contracts, which means you benefit from free or very low-cost visits.
Also, without combustion engines, EV designs inherently require fewer parts - and that translates to reduced parts repair and replacement costs. The future of cars is not worrying about oil changes; brakes last much longer, meaning fewer brake pad replacements.
EV owners spend roughly $4,600 less per year on vehicle maintenance and repair costs and are less likely to experience the headache of a roadside breakdown.
Safety is a number one priority for drivers of all ages. In addition to containing the latest in electric vehicle innovation, EVs boast exceptional road safety features and statistics. The IIHS states, “we can now say with confidence that making the U.S. fleet more environmentally friendly doesn’t require any compromises in terms of safety.” Also worth noting - many EV models were chosen as the IIHS’s top safety picks.
Your electric vehicle purchase entitles you to up to $7500 in federal tax credits. Even used EVs count for tax credits of up to $4000, so there’s no need to buy new if sticker prices are too high for your budget. The state of California also offers tax incentives to increase public interest in purchasing EVs.
Visit the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data page to learn more about rebates and incentives available to EV owners.
In the beginning, EV owners had to pay close attention to their charge levels because charging stations were few and far between. A need for charging stations is still one of the main reasons people are reticent to make the change from gas vehicles to electric alternatives. There’s nothing worse than being stranded on a long road trip with nowhere to drive your car.
That has all changed, particularly in the last five years, as EV cars begin to proliferate the market. There are more than 46,000 EV charging stations nationwide, and that number goes up daily. Take advantage of smartphone apps to access EV charging maps, then plan your long-distance trips accordingly.
The carpool lane saves minutes - if not half-hours or more - off peak-traffic commutes. However, most Bay Area commuters still drive solo despite public transportation and carpooling options. With an HOV pass on your car, you can enjoy a faster, solo commute using the carpool lane. You also receive a 50% discount on bridge tolls.
The team at J&T Towing believes electric is the future of cars and trucks. Our professional roadside assistance technicians appreciate their fuel-reducing and low-maintenance designs. Even so, no system is perfect. If your electric car needs a tow, contact us online or give us a call. We have the flatbeds required to tow EVs without doing them any further harm.
