Star Telegram |Business|”Thinking of trading that gas guzzler for an electric car or hybrid? Read this first.” By Dalia Faheid March 18, 2022 09:32 AM
Read the Start Telegram for all the details
Summary by 2244
Image from Tesla.com
As gas prices surge interest in the various types of EVs increases!
What to know before you jump for your first EV
There’s more choice now than before and even more coming by 2024 from existing and newer car companies. The biggest share currently held in Texas is by Tesla Model 3>ModelY>Model S combining for more than half of all “EV Registrations.” Followed in order by Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Model X, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt EV and so forth including in diminishing volumes Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Fusion Energi, Toyota Prius Prime, Jeep Wrangler Plug In, Ford Mustang Mach, Porsche Taycan, Honda Clarity Plug In, Volvo XC90 Plug In, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Volvo XC50 Plug In and Volkswagen e-Golf.
The much anticipated 2022 F-150 Lightning Pick-Up highlights that more than sedans are becoming available as EVs. The Lightning is expected later in 2022.
Hybrids are electric motors with gas engines without a need to plug in in exchange for excellent mileage and lower emissions.
Mild Hybrids just have an electric motor to help provide power and allow for turning off the gas-powered engine but still have systems powered at momentary stops like traffic lights etc. They cost less than hybrids.
Plug-in hybrids have “larger batteries to drive on electric power alone, providing the flexibility of an electric car while still having a gas engine available for longer trips.” They can be charged with a standard household outlet. Typical range on electric alone is 15-50 miles. They are more expensive than hybrids.
Electric Vehicles are all electric and have an “average…range of 260 miles in 2020. They are more expensive than “comparable gasoline-powered cars.” There may be tradeoffs in lower costs for maintenance, fuel costs and incentives if available.
Tied to range anxiety is the question about “where will you charge your car?” With a little planning even commercially available charging stations like those from Blink, ChargePoint, Chargeway, Electrify America, PlugShare and Tesla are likely to be sufficient for many. Having said that “80%, charge at home…[in part]...because it is more expensive to fuel at a public charging station (15 to 50 cents per kilowatt hour) than at home (about 12 cents or less per kilowatt hour).” Just charging from a standard 120 volt household is doable but may take up to 24 hours. 240 volt chargers are faster making a full charge from empty to full in eight to ten hours. Total cost installed can run from $1,700-$2,700.
Some tips on “charging from Texas Department of Transportation”
Best time for the grid is 10PM to 6AM
Best for battery life, keep charge between 20-80%.
For routine around-town daily driving a charge to 80% is sufficient.
For longer trips, charge to 100%.
Don’t let your battery sit at 0% or 100% “for long periods of time.”
“Use an online route planner that factors in charging stations.
Texans are going EV with 36.08% of Texas EV registrations being in DFW, 23.64% Houston, 21.53% in Austin, 8.87% in San Antonio and 9.87% elsewhere in the state.
Learn more by attending a local auto show. The North Texas Auto Show is March 17-20 at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas and “will include an electric vehicle test track.”