Buying an Electric Vehicle
How and Where to Charge Your EV
Looking for an EV that suits your needs and fits your lifestyle? There are many out there to choose from and the options continue to expand as the popularity of EVs continues to rise.
EV vs. Hybrid
All electric vehicles and hybrids have their own internal batteries, chargeable with a 120V or 240V outlet. The main difference between an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid is that an EV runs completely off battery-power, while a hybrid model is powered by both electricity and gas.
BEV
Battery Electric Vehicle
This is an electric vehicle run 100% by battery. It must be recharged when the battery runs out. The average driving capacity of a fully charged battery is 150-300 miles.
PHEV
Plug-In Electric Vehicle
PHEVs are powered by both a chargeable electric battery and a gasoline or diesel engine.
PHEVs have an electric-only driving rage of 20 to 50 miles with a fully-charged battery before switching to an internal combustion engine.
Choosing an EV
There are new models of EVs available every day. Choose from midsize, minivans, SUVs and even trucks.
What to consider when evaluating EVs
For Home
- The initial purchase price for electric vehicles is typically higher than for gasoline vehicles, but prices are decreasing.
- The driving range for electric vehicles continues to improve.
- Pennsylvania offers rebates for the purchase of new or used battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Not every gas-powered vehicle has an EV equivalent, but the selection is growing.
For Business
- Electric fleet vehicles cost less to operate and maintain.
- Medium-duty electric vehicles should have a lower total cost of ownership than diesel by 2025, according to forecasts.
- Heavy-duty electric vehicles are anticipated to have a lower total cost of ownership than diesel starting around 2030.
- Charging equipment can attract more customers.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far can I drive an EV?
A: EVs have typical driving ranges from 150 to 300 miles, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: What does it cost to install a charger at my home?
A: The price varies and depends on multiple factors. The cost is estimated at 3,000 for Level 1 chargers, $600 to $12,700 for Level 2, and $4,000 to $51,000 for DC fast charging, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: What is the process for installing a charger in my garage?
A: The U.S. Department of Energy provides information about charger installations here.
Q: How do EVs compare to gas-powered vehicles in terms of environmental impact?
A: Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs) typically produce lower tailpipe emissions than conventional vehicles do. When measuring well-to-wheel emissions, the electricity source is important: for PHEVs and EVs, part or all of the power provided by the battery comes from off-board sources of electricity. There are emissions associated with the majority of electricity production in the United States. (U.S. Dept. of Energy)
Q: What maintenance is required for an EV?
A: According to AAA, electric vehicles do not require as much maintenance as gas-powered vehicles since they don’t need oil changes or air-filter replacements. If maintained according to the automakers’ recommendations, electric vehicles cost $330 less than a gas-powered car, a total of $949/annually.
Q: How do I go about electrifying my fleet?
A: The Edison Electric Institute provides some tips in a 2019 report here. The U.S. Department of Energy provides some resources here.
Q: How long do EV batteries last?
A: Vehicle manufacturers’ battery warranties typically cover 8 years or 100,000 miles, and the expected battery lifetime is 12 to 15 years under normal operating conditions and in moderate climates, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: How do I get a charger installed?
A: Here are some tips and advice for charger installations.
Q: What is the cost for charging an EV?
A: If electricity costs $0.13 per kilowatt-hour, charging an EV with a 200-mile range (assuming a fully depleted 66 kWh battery) will cost about $9 to reach a full charge, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). To compare the fueling costs of individual models of conventional and plug-in vehicles, see the DOE’s Vehicle Cost Calculator.
Q: What’s a fast charger?
A: Fast charging equipment (typically 208/480v AC three-phase input) enables rapid charging along heavy traffic corridors at installed stations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
A: EVs have typical driving ranges from 150 to 300 miles, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: What does it cost to install a charger at my home?
A: The price varies and depends on multiple factors. The cost is estimated at 3,000 for Level 1 chargers, $600 to $12,700 for Level 2, and $4,000 to $51,000 for DC fast charging, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: What is the process for installing a charger in my garage?
A: The U.S. Department of Energy provides information about charger installations here.
Q: How do EVs compare to gas-powered vehicles in terms of environmental impact?
A: Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs) typically produce lower tailpipe emissions than conventional vehicles do. When measuring well-to-wheel emissions, the electricity source is important: for PHEVs and EVs, part or all of the power provided by the battery comes from off-board sources of electricity. There are emissions associated with the majority of electricity production in the United States. (U.S. Dept. of Energy)
Q: What maintenance is required for an EV?
A: According to AAA, electric vehicles do not require as much maintenance as gas-powered vehicles since they don’t need oil changes or air-filter replacements. If maintained according to the automakers’ recommendations, electric vehicles cost $330 less than a gas-powered car, a total of $949/annually.
Q: How do I go about electrifying my fleet?
A: The Edison Electric Institute provides some tips in a 2019 report here. The U.S. Department of Energy provides some resources here.
Q: How long do EV batteries last?
A: Vehicle manufacturers’ battery warranties typically cover 8 years or 100,000 miles, and the expected battery lifetime is 12 to 15 years under normal operating conditions and in moderate climates, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: How do I get a charger installed?
A: Here are some tips and advice for charger installations.
Q: What is the cost for charging an EV?
A: If electricity costs $0.13 per kilowatt-hour, charging an EV with a 200-mile range (assuming a fully depleted 66 kWh battery) will cost about $9 to reach a full charge, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). To compare the fueling costs of individual models of conventional and plug-in vehicles, see the DOE’s Vehicle Cost Calculator.
Q: What’s a fast charger?
A: Fast charging equipment (typically 208/480v AC three-phase input) enables rapid charging along heavy traffic corridors at installed stations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
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