How to Determine the Best EV For You?
The factors to consider when choosing an electric vehicle include your budget, the vehicle’s range, where you live, the cost of maintenance, and vehicle safety.
View Our Luxury Electric Vehicle Inventory
Car shopping has never been straightforward. With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, consumers have a whole new set of questions to ask at the dealership. The best electric vehicle for you might be a fully electric sedan, a plug-in hybrid SUV or something different.
So how can you determine the best electric vehicle for you when shopping?
Comparing the Best Electric Vehicles for Your Needs
The first thing you should determine is which type of electric vehicle is right for you.
Fully electric vehicles run on only electric power. Also known as battery electric vehicles, these cars rely solely on an electric battery for propulsion. They require no gasoline and emit extremely low carbon emissions.
Hybrid electric vehicles do not require an electric charging station. However, they have the highest carbon emissions of any electric vehicle type. Hybrid vehicles run on gas engines combined with an electric battery, which makes them run much more efficiently than traditional gas engine cars.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are the middle ground between fully electric and hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrids can run on either gas power or electric power. The fully electric range on plug-in hybrids is less than that of fully electric vehicles. However, the availability of an electric-only driving mode means plug-in hybrids have lower emissions than standard hybrids.
Choosing the Best Electric Vehicles in 2022
Which type of EV is right for you depends on what you are looking for, and what your budget is.
Carbon Emissions
If you are looking for a vehicle with the lowest available carbon emissions, then a fully electric vehicle is right for you. Because they operate 100% on electric power, there is no gas consumption involved when you drive a fully electric car
Plug-in hybrids are your next best option, as they can run on electric-only power for short durations.
Cost of Ownership
When it comes to the cost of ownership, there is no straight answer. Fully electric vehicles tend to have the highest upfront cost. However, they also have the lowest cost of maintenance of any vehicle type. This is because the electric motor is much simpler than a gas combustion engine. Fully electric vehicles also save drivers every day by eliminating the need to fill up on gas.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids still require gas, though less often than traditional vehicles. Repairs on hybrids can also be costly, as they have unique engines that can be difficult to fix.
Uncertain About EV Lifestyle
If you want to make the switch to an electric vehicle, but are uncertain if it’s right for you, a plug-in hybrid may be the way to go. Plug-in hybrids allow you to experience what it’s like to drive an electric vehicle and get a sense of the availability of charging stations in your area. If you struggle to adjust to driving on electric power, then a plug-in hybrid can still function like a traditional gas-powered car.
Maximum Range
Standard hybrid electric vehicles have the longest overall range of any electric vehicle type. Their unique engines allow them to get up to 60 miles per gallon, allowing drivers to cover extremely long distances without ever needing to stop to refuel. However, hybrid vehicles also have the highest carbon emissions of any EV type.
Best Used Electric Vehicles
If you are interested in becoming an EV owner, check out Ray Catena’s inventory of the best new and pre-owned luxury electric vehicles. We carry some of the top luxury electric cars in the 2022 model year, including Audi, Porsche, and BMW.
Find our local Ray Catena dealership today, or read more in our FAQ for answers to all your questions on LEV ownership.
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