You have seen them on the streets. You may have been surprised to realize one was pulled up next to you, barely noticing its quiet idle. If you have gotten behind the wheel, you observe no noisy engine start up and smell no exhaust. Clean and quiet, with few maintenance requirements, electric vehicles are a great alternative to gas-powered vehicles. Electric vehicles are good for the consumer and the environment. Join Socket to investigate whether an Electric vehicle could be the right choice for your next vehicle.
First, let’s talk about the potential long-term monetary savings you gain by owning and driving an Electric vehicle
- No pumping gas in the rain, blizzard conditions, or the blazing sun of summer. Skip the gas station and “fill up” at home, work, or wherever there’s a charger. More charging stations are becoming available at workplaces, restaurants, hotels and malls for even more convenience. Simply plug in and the Electric vehicle refuels while you go about your business. Here in Nashville, the Department of General Services manages many public Electric vehicle charging ports across 25 locations across the city. Find a charger near you.
- With an Electric vehicle, there are no more oil changes. There are fewer moving parts to break or wear out. In fact, many Electric vehicle owners go years without any repair or service bills at all.
Next, consider the environmental benefits of Electric vehicles
- Electric vehicles are better for the air we breathe. Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, which means fewer emissions and cleaner air as more Electric vehicles replace gas-powered vehicles. Cleaner air means less disease in the world, such as lung and heart disease.
- “The Road to Clean Air” report, produced by the American Lung Association, outlines the broad benefits of a transition to an electric transportation sector over the coming decades. Nationally, based on emission reductions in 2050, such a transition would result in the following annual benefits:
- Avoid approximately 6,300 premature deaths
- Prevent more than 93,000 asthma attacks
- Prevent 416,000 lost workdays
Finally, let’s consider the comfort and enjoyment of driving an Electric vehicle
- Electric vehicles are quieter—inside and out—compared with gas powered vehicles. In fact, when you first begin driving one, you may have to check to be sure that it is turned on as you pull away from your parking space. You may even be able to hear birds chirping instead of motors roaring and noise from exhaust of hot rod drivers.
- Many Electric vehicles offer quick acceleration and a comfortable ride. Electric vehicles can produce maximum torque at zero rpm, so their pickup is very quick and smooth, leaving gas-powered vehicles eating dust. Many people are quite surprised at how much more comfortable the ride is too, and some might say that it makes gas-powered cars seems clunky and clumsy. Driving an electric car is an absolute pleasure.
There you have it, Electric vehicles are easier and less expensive to maintain, better for the air, and pleasant to own and operate. Maybe it is time you (and I) consider making the switch to an Electric vehicle!
Blog Author
This blog was authored by Edna Jones, Electric vehicle Coordinator in the Division of Sustainability, Department of General Services.