Understanding EVs
Which EV is Right for Me?
Benefits of Plugging In
While many electric vehicle owners will see financial benefits from saving money at the gas pump, they will also be able to take advantage of certain tax benefits. In an effort to get folks to adopt the new electric vehicle technology, many states are offering incentives. The state of Connecticut is no exception. If you are a driver in Norwich, CT who is thinking of purchasing or leasing an electric car, truck, or SUV at Central Auto Group, you may be able to enjoy some intriguing federal and state tax benefits. The federal government is giving drivers an income tax credit of up to $7,500 for electric vehicles purchased after 2010. Meanwhile, the state of Connecticut is offering a rebate between $500 and $3,000 for any driver who has purchased an electric vehicle. Many local towns are also offering free metered parking, and many utilities also offer discounted services to electric vehicle driver.
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Owning an EV
Understanding Charging
Charging times vary depending of the type of charger used.
Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet and charge about 2-5 miles of range per hour, making Level 1 a good choice for plugin hybrid vehicles but not battery electric vehicles.
Level 2 chargers can be installed at your home by a professional electrician and charge about 10-20 miles of range per hour. A good choice for any EV when charging overnight or all-day is possible.
Level 3 fast chargers are the most efficient and can be found at commercial locations. Level 3 can charge about 60-80 miles of range in about 20 minutes, making it a good choice for any EV when a quick charge is needed on the go.
Charging from Home
For plugin hybrid vehicles a standard outlet (Level 1) will be enough for overnight charging. For battery electric vehicles, a Level 2 charger will require professional installation by a licensed electrician. If you live in an apartment or condo, consider talking with the property owner about installing a charger or use a nearby public charger. Talk to our sales staff to find out more about charging from home.
Battery Care
Most batteries will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles when properly cared for. With battery technology continually advancing, that number will continue to increase. If you can keep your battery between 20% and 80% charged most days and avoid extremely hot temperatures, you can expect your maintenance to be minimal.
Charging Stations Near Central Auto Group
For many years, there was the idea floating around that electric cars were poor choices as a daily commuting option because they had limited ranges and were sluggish to drive. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Over the years, driving ranges have improved dramatically. There are some electric vehicles that can get over 300-miles of driving range on a single charge. Additionally, many of these cars, trucks, and SUVs have horsepower and torque ratings that are beyond their gas-powered counterparts.
Another reason that many folks decided to go against choosing an electric vehicle as a daily commuter was because they didn't think there would be charging stations between their home in Willimantic, CT and their place of business in New London, CT. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. The number of charging stations has increased dramatically over the last few years, and it is only continuing to grow.
In Connecticut, there are over 360 electric charging stations. Drivers can enjoy driving all over the country without needing to worry about running out of a charge.
Common Questions
A federal tax credit of $7,500 is available on most EV models. Depending on where you live, state and local rebates and incentives may also be available. Check with your sales associate to find out if the model is eligible for rebates and incentives.
Other advantages of owning an EV include:
- Eligible EVs may also qualify for HOV lane access, which are normally restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers.
- Many electric companies offer lower rates based on the time of use. With EVs, you can save money by charging during off-peak times.
- If you're able to charge from work or home, there's usually no need to stop to refuel like you would in a gas-powered vehicle.
- EVs produce zero tail-pipe emissions resulting in cleaner air and better health.
This will vary depending on the local price of electricity and gas and where you are charging (at home or public charger), but most EV owners can expect to save on fuel cost. A recent Consumer Reports study found the “typical EV owner who does most of their fueling at home can expect to save an average of $800 to $1,000 a year on fueling costs over an equivalent gasoline-powered car.”
Source: Benjamin Preston. October 08, 2020. EVs Offer Big Savings Over Traditional Gas-Powered Cars.
https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/evs-offer-big-savings-over-traditional-gas-powered-cars/A recent Consumer Reports study found “maintenance and repair costs for EVs are significantly lower over the life of the vehicle – about half – than for gasoline–powered vehicles, which require regular fluid changes and are more mechanically complex. The average dollar savings over the lifetime of the vehicle is about $4,600.”
Source: Benjamin Preston. October 08, 2020. EVs Offer Big Savings Over Traditional Gas-Powered Cars.
https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/evs-offer-big-savings-over-traditional-gas-powered-cars/Gas powered vehicles offer a range of 300-400mi. Battery electric vehicles offer a median range of 250mi. For EV owners who charge at home, this is more than enough for daily use. For longer drives beyond the range of your vehicle, check a public charger map for charger availability along your route.
- Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet and charge about 2-5 miles of range per hour, making Level 1 a good choice for plugin hybrid vehicles but not battery electric vehicles.
- Level 2 chargers can be installed at your home by a professional electrician and charge about 10-20 miles of range per hour. A good choice for any EV when charging overnight or all-day is possible.
- Level 3 fast chargers are the most efficient and can be found at commercial locations. Level 3 can charge about 60-80 miles of range in about 20 minutes, making it a good choice for any EV when a quick charge is needed on the go.
Yes, Level 1 and Level 2 chargers can be used at home. In fact, the standard 120V outlet supports a Level 1 charger. Level 2 chargers require 240V and can be installed by a licensed electrician. If you do not own your home, you may need to work with your property owner to install a Level 2 charger.
Most batteries will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles when properly cared for. With battery technology continually advancing, that number should continue to increase.
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Browse All of the High-Quality Options
Many people in the Killingly, CT area are deciding to try an electric vehicle because they are aware of how many interesting options there are on the market. Between electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, many drivers are getting to enjoy the benefits of an electric powertrain.
When you visit a Central Auto Group location, you can find many of the top electric models in the world. Some of the electric vehicles we carry at our dealership locations include the Hyundai Kona EV, Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. We are also taking reservations for upcoming electric vehicles, like the Ford F-150 Lightning. Our sales team can answer any questions you may have about any of these intriguing models.
They can also help you slip behind the wheel and discover why so many people are choosing electric vehicles for yourself. Visit a Central Auto Group location today, so you can choose the electric car, truck, or SUV that is right for you.
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