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If you’re interested in switching to an electric vehicle (EV), National Drive Electric Week from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1 is a great time to learn more. Locally, the Transportation Electrification (TE) Activator is working to electrify transportation to benefit all Arizona residents and members are hosting several upcoming events.
Electric vehicle types
As you consider an EV, know that you have a couple of options: A battery-electric vehicle, called a BEV, runs only on the power from a battery. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, called a PHEV, runs on both the power from a battery and a gas engine.
A BEV, such as the Tesla Model 3, can go an average of 258 miles before needing to be recharged. For comparison, a PHEV, such as the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid, can go an average of 25 miles before switching to using gas.
While charging an EV costs money, it is a lot less expensive than filling up with gas, so you drivers can save thousands of dollars over the life of the car. Additionally, EV require less maintenance because there is no need for oil changes, belt replacements, spark plugs, or emission checks.
For a look at what it costs to maintain and run a gas-powered vehicle compared to an EV, the U.S. Department of Energy’s vehicle cost calculator lets you compare two vehicles — including the one you drive now — when it comes to fuel or electricity costs, operating costs, and emissions.
Environmental benefits
Electric vehicles release zero tailpipe emissions, making them a much less polluting option than regular gas-powered cars. Even when considering battery manufacturing, EVs have 54% lower lifetime carbon pollution compared to gas-powered vehicles, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. Charging EVs is becoming more sustainable as well, with utilities adding more renewable sources to the energy mix at a fast pace.
EVs also cut down on another kind of pollution, sound pollution, because the gas components that usually make engines loud are no longer present.
Performance benefits
EVs are simply fun to drive, for several reasons. For one, EVs have instant torque, meaning they get up to speed quickly. This makes it easier to, for example, get going on a freeway onramp or when a traffic light turns green. They also offer smoother rides than gas-powered vehicles because the engines don’t create vibrations or noise.
Additionally, EVs tend to have modern technologies that make driving convenient, such as lane tracking, emergency braking, and over-the-air updates.
Another local benefit is that Arizona BEV drivers can use the HOV lane.
Charging
About 80% of charging happens at home, according to the Department of Energy, but that doesn’t mean you have to immediately buy a charger. Arizona has almost 3,000 charging ports around the state, and that number is growing each day, including in TE Activator member cities Mesa, Phoenix, and Tempe..
If you’re ready to add a charger at home, Arizona utilities offer incentives and rebates to help with the cost of installation.
Upcoming events
During National Drive Electric Week, you can learn more about electric vehicles at the following events:
- EV 101: Electrify Your Ride is a live webinar on Sept. 26 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3rY0OfH.
- EV 102: For New EV Owners is a live webinar on Sept. 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3YnepZK.
- Test drive an EV at the Phoenix EV Ride & Drive on Sept. 30 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3DMLTHE.
For more information about the drive to electrify Arizona’s future, visit www.electrifyarizona.org
