Electric Vehicles (EVs) offer a lot of benefits. They can help reduce climate pollution since they don’t emit pollutants like carbon dioxide. EVs are quieter than traditional cars and have a more relaxing drive. They also have lower maintenance costs since you don’t have to pay for oil changes or replacements for engine components.
While EVs have many benefits, many people don’t realize that they have some challenges. I’ll explain some of the things you need to know before you buy an electric vehicle.
Charging Can Get a Bit Complicated
You’ll Need an Internet Connection
Travelling Can Be a Lot More Fun
Contents
Charging Can Get a Bit Complicated
The biggest difference between traditional vehicles and electric cars is the charging experience. The first thing you need to know is the types of chargers. There are three types of EV chargers:
- Level 1 (Slow Charger): These are the slowest and most commonly used types of chargers. These can add anywhere between 3-5 miles of range every hour, and it can take 30-40 hours to fully charge a 60 kWh electric car. This can be better for battery longevity since it produces less heat.
- Level 2 (Fast Charger): This is a faster type of charger that you’ll find in public charging stations. It can add around 12-80 miles of range per hour and typically charge a 60 kWh EV in 2.5-5 hours. This generally strikes a balance between fast charging and heat generation.
- Level 3 (Rapid Charger): This uses DC instead of AC like the previous two chargers and offers extremely fast charging speeds. It can add anywhere between 75-1200 miles per hour of charge and can charge a 60 kWh EV within 30-40 minutes.
Chargers can be tethered or untethered. Tethered ones have a fixed cable attached to the charger, making it convenient for homes since you don’t need to handle your own cable. On the other hand, untethered chargers are more flexible and versatile, especially if you have multiple EVs.
You’ll Need an Internet Connection
Electric vehicles have a lot of smart functions. Not only can you browse the internet or watch videos, but you can also monitor different aspects of your EV, like charge status, location tracking, and even watching live feeds from cameras through a smartphone app.
Not only that, EVs generally receive regular software updates. While you can use cellular data for updates and other smart functions, it’s generally not a good idea since mobile data usually has data caps.
I recommend getting an internet provider like Optimum that provides fast internet speeds without any data caps. Their internet speeds are fast and can download software updates in no time. Not only do they offer support in English, but you can also talk to Optimum en español. With its millions of WiFi hotspots around the country, you will stay connected on the go!
Travelling Can Be a Lot More Fun
If you’re someone who loves to travel, having an electric vehicle can make your trips a lot more unique.
Pulling into a gas station and leaving with a full tank in less than five minutes is extremely convenient. However, EVs need a bit more time to charge up. This can be a bit inconvenient if you’re in a hurry.
For me, it adds a new layer of adventure to my road trips. I get to take a short walk, maybe explore the area or just have a cup of coffee and read a book. If it’s nighttime, I can take a short nap that keeps me fresh during the travel.
Charging Stations and Pricing
EV charging station pricing can vary a lot, making it confusing for a lot of people.
Some companies charge by the time spent plugged in, while others charge based on the amount of energy you use. Fortunately, you’ll be able to find this information in the app you use to find the charging station, so there shouldn’t be any surprises.
The best part about getting an EV is that you might be able to find a charging station that gets you free electricity. Most of the time, these will be level 1 chargers located in public places like grocery stores, malls, public transit stations, and universities.
However, most free chargers are only free for a limited time. I recommend checking the app to see if there are any free ones available in your area.
Deal With Range Anxiety
Since charging stations aren’t as widely available as gas stations, a lot of EV owners have a thing called ‘range anxiety.” This is the fear that their EV will run out of battery before they get to their destination.
Just like planning a road trip on a traditional car, you will need to plan your trip where you can find a charging station along the way. Thankfully, there are a lot of apps that allow you to do this. These include ARBP (A Better Route Planner), PlugShare, and ChargePoint.
Besides this, there are a few things you can do to ensure you don’t eat through your power during longer trips. I recommend turning off secondary systems like phone charging, audio, and heating, which reduce the overall range.
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