Why Buy a Fully Electric Vehicle (EV)?

Why Buy a Fully Electric Vehicle (EV)?

I have owned a fully Electric Vehicle (EV) for the better part of 5+ years and I did not do it to save the planet. I did it because it was the least expensive, lowest long term cost of ownership in the motor vehicle market 6 yrs ago when I did the tedious research. I've put over 100k miles on two EV's over the last 5 years and I frequently get asked what my thoughts are....especially now that gas prices have skyrocketed.

• EV's owned: 2014 Nissan Leaf SL & 2020 Kia Niro Ev Premium EX
• NOTEWORTHY: I pay anywhere from $.64 (yes that is 64 cents) if I charge at home to as much as $15, if I charge on a level 3 public charger, to fully charge my EV and get an average of 250 miles per full charge.

Since I get asked about my experience owning an EV I decided to put together a series of bullet points of things I've learned owning and operating a fully Electric Vehicle (EV). Below is the bullet point summary of the Pro's and Con's of owning an EV.

EV Pro's:

• IT’S JUST FUN TO DRIVE: It is extremely fun to drive and a pleasure to ride in for all the following reasons. 
• CRAZY QUIET DRIVE: Most quiet drive you can experience.  No engine noise associated with an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) gas driven vehicle.
• SMOOTHEST ACCELERATION: It has no multi-geared transmission but rather it has what is called a transfer case with a single reduction gear.  This results in NO jolt shifting gears and you get the smoothest ride that nearly all luxury ICE vehicles try to mimic by using a fluid drive or continuously variable transmissions (diminishes the jerk associated with shifts in gears).
• RIDES LIKE A CADILLAC: Due to the heavy weight of the batteries and the low center of gravity the vehicle tends to give the feeling of gliding over road impediments more akin to a luxury vehicle ride.
• ACCELERATES LIKE A SPORTS CAR: Instant torque…… most super cars can't even hang with most electric vehicles 0-30mph and most EV's still beat most $250k+ hyper sports cars 0-60mph.
• HANDLES LIKE A SPORT CAR: Most EV's can out handle most sports cars in curves due to the low center of gravity created by the batteries being mounted in line or below the wheel hub line.
• ROLL RESISTANT:  Due to the low center of gravity because of the low slung batteries, which are heavy, most EV's are what is called tip and roll resistant….. even on a hill or down slope.  
• HIGH SAFETY RATING: Because of the low center of gravity, as well as the structural rigidity provided by the dense and heavy battery trays as well as the larger crumple zones in the front and rear due to the fact that there is no massive internal combustion engine, transmission and fuel tank…. Most EV's get 4-5 star safety ratings in vehicle collision tests.  INTERESTING NOTE: I can personally attest to this fact. I had a fully loaded semi tanker truck hit me twice (Check out the video below).  The semi tanker driver, unknowingly, did a pit maneuver on my vehicle while trying to make an exit which turned me around facing the wrong way at 65mph into the inner lanes of I-85 south in Atlanta, GA with a wall of high speed traffic facing me…..well, I actually got the vehicle somewhat under control in the next lane over nearest to the semi tanker, still while facing the wrong direction, but because of the damage on my rear drivers side wheel it was dragging me under the semi tanker trucks rear wheels and the truck struck me once again nearly running me over.  Luckily, the on coming high speed traffic narrowly avoided me and I came to rest against the guard rail in the emergency lane on the far right shoulder of the highway.  The police and the EMT that arrived said if it were any other vehicle I would have rolled over and not likely walked away so easily like I did based on how the semi tank struck me.  This was all due to the low center of gravity that kept me from flipping over. Check out the dashcam footage of the crash: https://photos.app.goo.gl/S2AXkacQBHkCqeWu9

• NEARLY ZERO MAINTENANCE: Low to NO maintenance like a Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle requires every 3-6k miles… no oil to change, no spark plugs, no transmission, no traditional water pumps or radiators.
• NO EMISSIONS: No emissions requirements  to pass.
• SINGLE OCCUPANT HOV LANE USE: Driver only, no passenger, HOV lane use in most states. 
• TOLL ROADS ARE TOLL FREE: 30%+/- of state run toll roads such as the Peach Pass Toll Lanes (Georgia Specific) and some other Toll roads are reduced cost or FREE for EV's if you buy the Alternative Energy tag in most states.
• FREE CHARGING ALL OVER THE PLACE: 30% of public charging stations are FREE. It is like a gas vehicle that gets FREE gas at 30% of gas stations. Sounds crazy but it is true!
• ALL POWER OUTLETS ARE FUELING STATIONS: Every single power outlet is considered a fuel source which outnumbers gas stations to like the 5th power.
• STAGGERING AMOUNT OF CHARGING STATIONS: There are a staggering amount of charging stations in the US NOW on major roads/highways. Most moderately populated areas of the US have a multitude of charging stations and this number is growing like kudzu on a south Georgia highway due to the government incentives and the growing sales of EV's world wide. Most EV's will find a charging station for you and prompt you to seek one out if you are approaching a state of charge less than 30%. Otherwise, there is an incredible app for any smartphone that is community contributed locations of nearly all public/private charging stations called "PlugShare". If you are worried about range anxiety simply download this FREE app and check out the location and number of charging stations in your area or along your trip route as validation or vindication of my statement that there are more than enough charging stations in the US NOW.

• FAST CHARGING OPTION: Level 3 charging (similar to tesla supercharger) usually can get you 80% charge in 30 minutes or less.  It is rare to be at zero so it is not unusual to get to 80% in 15-20 minutes (most modern EV’s).
• FREE CHARGING & PREFERENTIAL PARKING: Most Charging stations at shopping malls, airports and public/private garages give you preferential front row or first floor parking at no additional charge…..many of them are FREE or extremely low cost for the first few hours of charging. 
• FUEL UP IN YOUR SLEEP: You get to fuel up in your sleep, while you eat out, while you work and/or while you shop. I wake up to having an 80% charge or more every morning.....with nearly zero effort. Plug it in just like a mobile phone and let the charger do the rest. You can't do that with a gas vehicle!
• GAS STATION = CONVENIENCE STORE: Gas stations become convenience stores once you purchase an EV.  No more fighting for a pump and panicking while gas prices spike. 
• REGENERATIVE BRAKING BENEFITS: Brakes usually last 60-100k miles due to the regenerative braking system that does 80% of the work to slow down your vehicle.    Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that utilizes the electric motor to slow down a moving vehicle by converting its kinetic energy (vehicle in motion) into a form that can be either used immediately or stored in the batteries until needed later.  Essentially, the electric motor turns into a generator to add resistance to the motor and produce energy that can be used/stored.  This is part of what makes EV’s so efficient. The first time I took my EV to the mountains I started up the mountain ridge with about 90% state of charge in the batteries. After our visit to the mountain attractions driving all over town we ended up with about 70% state of charge in the batteries before heading back down the mountain to head home. Well, thanks to regenerative braking, and our long decent down the mountain we ended up with a 82% state of charge at the bottom of the mountain. That was a pleasant surprise. You can't do that with a gas vehicle.
• CLIMATE CONTROL YOUR VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE: You can climatize your vehicle in your garage…..without C02 asphyxiation concerns like an ICE vehicle.
• CLIMATE CONTROL FOR DAYS: No idling in traffic with an EV.  Although the vehicle does consume power from the battery for climate control and things like radio and lights just like a gas vehicle does when idling it is comparably minimal at best.  For instance, if you are stuck in a traffic jam in a blizzard, which has happened a bunch in recent history…….an EV, depending on the state of charge (% full and capacity of the battery) can keep you reasonably comfortable for multiple days if needed.  Most EV’s with only 50% charge in the battery can go days maintaining reasonable temperatures (above 50 degrees) in the cabin whereas a gas vehicle even with a full tank of gas will be luck to last 14hrs at idle to maintain similar conditions without the risk of CO2 sickness if the gas vehicle isn’t properly ventilated. It actually makes for a great over night camping vehicle. I actually bought an inflatable camping mattress and folded down the back seats and it comfortably accommodates my 6ft adult frame.

• REBATES/INCENTIVES TO BUY AN EV: Although Tesla, Nissan and GM no longer have vehicles that qualify for the Federal tax credit of up to $7500 there are plenty of other brand and models on the market that do. Basically, if you have a liability more than $7,500 in annual taxes then the government will refund you up to that amount if you purchase a qualifying NEW (not used) EV for the year of that purchase. It is like getting a $7500 discount on a new vehicle.
• REBATES/INCENTIVES TO CHARGE AT HOME: Most power/electric companies have Rebates, incentives and discounts for owning an EV and/or installing a home charging station.  Check your utility company for details.  Mine (Georgia Power) gives me a ridiculously low cost of $.01 per kwh if I charge between 11pm and 7am each day. That means I can charge my current EV which has a 64kwh battery which gets me an average of 250 miles of range for less than a dollar if it is at zero state of charge, which it never is (NOTE: I do not let it go below 20% charge for battery health reasons).
• DEALER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE IS HARDLY ANYTHING: Maintenance is usually to check the battery health, rotate and balance tires, replace wiper blades as needed, replace cabin air filters as needed and every 60-100k replace brake pads.
• LESS COMPONENT DETERIORATION DUE TO HEAT/FRICTION: Most of the sensor, plastic, rubber, gears or metal on metal deterioration on an ICE vehicle is due to the drastic changes in temperature created by the engine and friction.  EV doesn't have that problem. 
• WAKE UP TO 70 DEGREE INTERIOR EVERY MORNING:  Most EV's allow you to schedule or remotely climatize your vehicle's interior….. so you never have to enter a cold or hot vehicle if you do not want to.
• IT IS SUPER EFFICIENT: Energy storage (battery) to movement (motor) conversion is 85% efficient on average in comparison to a gas to internal combustion engine (ICE) which comparatively is only 30% at best (average is about 20%)..
• NOTE: When referencing EV's as being Zero Emissions….. that is referencing the battery to motion conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy in the vehicle.   No emissions are produced when the energy in the battery is converted to motion via the electric motor….. the only byproduct of the conversion is  friction and heat but it is very minimal in comparison to an ICE….. that is why it is 85% efficient.

EV Con's:

• HIGH INSURANCE RATES: Insurance is considerably higher cost than a traditional gas vehicle which isn't logical because they are safer and have fewer parts that collectively cost less to replace than a gas vehicle. I think that is why Elon Musk and Tesla are coming out with their own insurance specific to EV's.
• BURN THROUGH TIRES LIKE A TEENAGER:  Since the EV’s have such high torque which leaves nothing to be desired when pulling into Atlanta crazy traffic it tends to wear out tires like crazy.  I’ve gone through 65k rated tires in less than half the time warranted even though I am methodical about rotation and balancing the tires.  The good news is that most tire companies will honor a reduced cost for replacement of tires if you do religiously rotate/balance your tires.  I’ve since learned to temper my acceleration by keeping the vehicle in ECO mode (reduces the torque substantially) and only engage SPORT mode (highest torque/acceleration) when merging into crazy Atlanta traffic.
• EXPECTED BATTERY LIFE OF 10YRS:  Although most EV manufacturers haven’t had an EV on the roads for more than 10 yrs the manufacturer typically estimates up to 30% battery degradation or replacement at the 10 yr mark and beyond.  Ultimately, if you keep the vehicle this could be comparable to the cost of replacing a gas vehicle's engine or less.  Considering the rate at which battery costs are reducing this will likely be less of a significant concern in 10 years but only time will tell.  Based on the the chemical make up of the battery, the battery life or longevity isn't based on mileage or even time. Battery health and longevity is based on the number of charging cycles and whether or not you are constantly charging to 100% and/or letting the battery level go below the 10% capacity mark frequently and/or letting the vehicle sit for days with nearly 100% state of charge and/or the battery experiences high temperature for long periods of time. That is why I only try to operate my EV between the 20%-90% state of charge and chose an EV with a battery thermo-regulator to keep the battery within optimal temperatures and states of charge. Most modern EV's have a battery management system that allows this to be easy to configure outside of the factory settings if desired.
• UNUSUALLY HIGH ANNUAL ADVELORM STATE TAX COSTS:  Most states fund their roads/bridge maintenance/repair budget based on the Gas Tax at the pump.  Every gallon pumped equals 12-40 miles on the road.  Since there is no way to gauge an EV’s mileage based on a gallon of taxed fuel most states have opted for a flat tax.  Well when the average tax per gallon is $.18 per gallon and the average consumption per gallon of even a NOT so efficient F150 pickup is 562 gallons per year to get 13.5k miles (23mpg average) which equals $101 annually plus an average of $30 tag fee with a collective average total being $131 annually.  Comparatively, an EV in the state of Georgia is $213.88 annually. I would have to drive a minimum of 22,041 miles to equal the tax liability cost per mile of a gas vehicle.  NOT exactly a fair deal but it is what it is.
• REDUCED RANGE IN FREEZING WEATHER:  I’ve had an EV with a thermo-regulator and without.  If you have an EV without a thermo-regulator then you end up with a moderately reduced range by as much as 20% due to the chemical properties of the EV batteries reaction to freezing temperatures.  On the flip side, if you have an EV with a thermo-regulator then the battery temperature is regulated during the charging and/or when you are driving the vehicle therefore your cold weather range reduction is drastically minimized.  As a matter of fact if I do not pre-climatize my EV before I get into it in freezing weather the estimated range will show 10%-20% reduced potential range.  But as I drive the vehicle and the thermo-regulator for the battery kicks in and warms the battery up to optimal conditions it is not unusual to get to my destination 10-20 miles away with more range than when I left my home.
• IT ISN’T AS GREEN AS SOME WOULD HAVE YOU THINK: It isn't as green as most would think but it is better than an ICE or even a hybrid vehicle.   The reality is, an EV isn't zero emission if we consider the source the energy comes from.  The US electrical grid is on average supported by 37% carbon free energy production (nuclear, wind, hydro, solar, etc.)… so the average would be 37% less in carbon based emissions comparison to the total carbon emissions produced by an ICE vehicle (also considering its source as well).  This of course can be better or worse depending on the energy distribution source you charge from.  Even if you charge only from a carbon free energy production source…… the materials used to create the carbon free energy production source had a carbon footprint via the manufacturing and construction process, although it be smaller, than let's say an oil refinery, petroleum distribution, coal mining, natural gas turbine or other core sources of energy and production we primarily use.

Whether you are a gear head or super practical there is a reasonable appeal towards EV’s once you understand the pro’s and con’s of owning an EV.

I hope this bullet pointed summary helps you to understand better if an EV fits into your vehicle life or lifestyle.

Feel free to question or comment.