Is An Electric Vehicle Right For Me?
The future of the automobile industry is electric. Every year electric cars are
getting better and cheaper and every year more and more consumer are purchasing electric cars.
Depending on where you live, you likely see many electric cars every day. There are some key
differences between electric cars and the gas powered cars that you are used to.
Here we'll explore both the benefits and the disadvantages of owning electric.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Electric
Daily Commute
Is Your Daily Commute Under 330 Miles?
Most of today's electric vehicles have a driving range-per-charge between 50 to 330
miles. If your daily commute is under 250 miles per day, there is likely an affordable EV model that
will fit your needs.
BUYER TIP: When you're looking at EVs, check the "range-per-charge"
for the vehicle. EV range varies significantly between models.
Road Trips
Do You Frequently Take Long Road Trips?
Long road trips can present challenges for today's electric vehicles. Planning is
required for long trips, though many EV models offer ranges of 150 to 330 miles per charge.
Your Household
Does Your Household Have More Than One Car?
If you have more than one car, an EV likely represents a big opportunity for your
family to save money and improve the environment. Use an EV for commuting and another vehicle for
long distances.
Parking
Ensure your home or workplace has accessible charging stations to make owning an EV
convenient.
Save Money & Pollute Less
Switching to an EV can save you money on fuel costs while reducing pollution and
environmental impact.
It Might Not Be the Right Time If...
Consider waiting if you lack charging infrastructure or need longer range-per-charge
than current EVs offer.
Things to Know About EVs
Battery Electric Vehicles
(BEVs)
Battery Electric Vehicles have a battery and an electric motor instead of a gas tank and
an internal combustion engine. Sometimes BEVs are also referred to as "All Electric Vehicles" or
"Plug-in Vehicles" (not to be confused with Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). They run entirely on
electricity and do not produce any exhaust from the burning of fuel.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
(PHEVs)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal
combustion engine. Some PHEVs operate exclusively, or almost exclusively, on electricity until the
battery is nearly depleted, then the gasoline-powered engine turns on to provide power. Like Battery
Electric Vehicles, PHEVs can be plugged in to charge the battery when the vehicle is not in use.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
(HEVs)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal combustion
engine, and don't plug-in for charging. HEVs can have substantial range on a single tank of gas, but
they still burn fossil fuel, produce carbon emissions, require trips to the gas station and scheduled
engine-maintenance. An HEV may be an ideal choice for those with extended commutes and limited charging
system access.
The Benefits
Electric vehicles offer several advantages over conventional internal combustion
vehicles. These include, but are not limited to: Lower operating costs, Reduced emissions, low maintenance
needs, high performance, and convenience.
Save Time and Money
Without all of the usual engine upkeep — oil changes, transmission fluid flushes,
engine belt replacements — you’ll spend less time and money on maintenance. Plus, when compared
to a new gas-powered vehicle of the same size, the EPA estimates that EV vehicles could save you
as much as $5,000 in fuel costs over five years.† Depending on where you live, you may also
qualify for state or local rebates and incentives too. Plus, EVs come with a long battery
warranty and great financing options. But savings are just the beginning – the perks of living
electric go on and on.
Easy Charging
Charging is as easy as plugging in your smartphone. Your EV comes equipped with
Level 1 charging which means you can simply plug in anywhere there’s a 3-prong outlet. Get a
quicker charge with an in-home 240-volt charging unit or you can always top off your charge on
the go – just search for a public charging station near you using the myBrand Mobile App† with
Energy Assist. Energy Assist helps you locate more than 40,000 compatible charging stations —
and they’re all available to you regardless of the charge point operator. Whether at home or
away, EV makes plugging in as simple as 1-2-3.
Innovative Technology
Enjoy next level tech and design. Everything from battery life to driving history
is easy to view on the tablet-like display screen. You can even track real-time vehicle
information to help you maximize efficiency. Even more, the revolutionary Ultium Platform is
engineered for range, power and flexibility to charge fast, run long and fit every type of
vehicle. An innovation that’s powering General Motors’ plan to offer 30 new EVs globally by
2025. Which means the day will soon come when everybody can drive an EV.
Fun to Drive
The world of tomorrow is electric. And GMC is joining the mission toward a
zero-emissions, all-electric future. So, when you make the move with us, you’re making the move
to live a simpler, smarter lifestyle, with all the advantages that come with driving a GMC.
Like everything GMC HUMMER EV, the cabins were designed for a unique combination
of innovation and convenience. So no matter how rugged the great outdoors gets, inside GMC
HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV, you’ll enjoy every moment.
Charging is Easy
Charge Anywhere.
Offers about 4 miles of range per hour of charge and is a great option for
overnight charging. Just plug in anywhere there’s a 3-prong outlet.
Important Information
Charge At Home.
Offers up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge time and is the fastest,
most recommended way to charge at home (professional installation required).
Important Information
Charge On The Go.
Offers up to 100 miles of range in about 30 minutes of charge time† and is
available for public use.
EV Battery Information
Electric vehicle batteries are typically designed to last for the expected life of the vehicle, but battery life should be considered when calculating the extended cost of ownership, as all batteries eventually wear out and must be replaced. Battery replacement is typically costly, but keep in mind that gas powered vehicle equipment, such as motors and transmissions, have a lifespan too. The rate at which batteries expire depends on the type of battery and how they are used.
The failure rate of some electric vehicles batteries already on the road is as low as 0.003%. There are also high mileage warranties on electric vehicle batteries available with many manufacturers. Several manufacturers offer multi-year and 100,000 mile+ warranties on the batteries in their vehicles. Review manufacturer information carefully when selecting an EV model.
Emissions and Energy Efficiency
Emissions
EVs produce no tailpipe emissions. Even when the power is generated using fossil fuels, electric vehicles usually show significant reductions in overall global carbon emissions over gasoline vehicles due to the highly carbon-intensive process of mining, pumping, refining and transporting gasoline.
Energy Efficiency
Internal combustion engines are relatively inefficient at converting fuel energy to propulsion as most of the energy is wasted as heat. Electric motors are more efficient in converting stored energy into propulsion, and electric-drive vehicles do not consume energy while at rest or coasting. Additionally, regenerative braking can be used to recapture energy during braking. Typically, conventional gasoline engines effectively use only 15 percent of the fuel-energy content to move the vehicle or to power accessories, while electric-drive vehicles have on-board efficiency of around 80 percent.
Electric cars are not completely environmentally friendly as there can be significant issues to consider related to energy and material use in the manufacturing process. This may include energy-intensive manufacturing processes or the mining and refinement of chemicals and materials.
Reduced Operating Costs
The average U.S. household spends nearly one-fifth of its total family expenditures on transportation, thus saving on fuel can make a big difference in the average family's budget. Electricity is less expensive than gasoline and EVs are more efficient than gas-powered vehicles. Electric prices are also generally much more stable than gasoline prices. On a national average, it costs less than half as much to travel the same distance in an EV than a conventional vehicle. Your savings could be far more substantial if your current gas-powered vehicle gets poor mileage.
Reduced Maintenance Requirements
Battery Electric Vehicles (or BEV) require less maintenance than conventional vehicles because there are fewer fluids (like oil and transmission fluid) to change, and far fewer moving parts. EVs require minimal scheduled maintenance to their electrical systems, which can include the battery, electrical motor, and associated electronics. Because of regenerative braking, brake systems on EVs typically last longer than on conventional vehicles.
- No Oil Changes: BEVs do not require engine oil, thus there are no oil
changes (normally required every 3,000 to 7,000 miles; requirements vary by automobile
manufacturer)
- No Spark Plugs and Wires: BEVs do not require spark plugs and wires, thus
no replacements (estimated replacement at 100,000 miles on gas engine)
- No Exhaust System: BEVs do not have mufflers or catalytic converters, two
components of your exhaust system that can fail and result in expensive replacements.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) have an electric motor and a gas motor. Cars with gas motors still require the standard maintenance a regular gas-powered vehicle requires (oil changes, spark plugs and wires, exhaust systems etc.), but at less-frequent intervals.
The Disadvantages
Currently, there is no real comparison between the #s of gas stations vs charging stations. For many who might charge at home every night and don't regularly need access to other charges this is only a minor factor. There has been a rapid increase in the number of charging stations across the country in the last 5 years. According to statista.com, the US had over 40k charging stations as of Feb 2021. This number will only go up as adoption of EV increases. There has also been a big push from automakers to help accelerate the growth of charging stations which should help alleviate this issue in the years to come. One example is the recent GM partnership with EVgo (the largest public fast-charging network in the US) to add more than 2,700 more stations in public venues over the next five years.
Charging Takes Longer
One thing gas has over electricity is how quickly you can refill the tank. Filling up at a gas station takes two to three minutes. Recharging an electric car can take hours to fully charge. The time will vary on the model of the car and the throughput of the charger. Newer fast chargers are rated for a higher wattage and can charge up a battery to around 80% in about 30 minutes. As the technology matures, this time should continue to decrease. For many, this is not a concern as they drive less than the range of their EV most days, but for those who need to drive longer distances regularly this should be a consideration.
Finding a Charging Station
Charging is as easy as plugging in your smartphone. Your EV comes equipped with
Level 1 charging which means you can simply plug in anywhere there’s a 3-prong outlet. Get a
quicker charge with an in-home 240-volt charging unit or you can always top off your charge on
the go – just search for a public charging station near you using the myBrand Mobile App† with
Energy Assist. Energy Assist helps you locate more than 40,000 compatible charging stations —
and they’re all available to you regardless of the charge point operator. Whether at home or
away, EV makes plugging in as simple as 1-2-3.
Higher Initial Purchase Cost
The range of electric cars has increased with battery technology in recent years. It is now not uncommon to see new electric cars with an effective range over 300 miles. The 2022 Bolt EUV is rated for 250 Miles on a full charge, and the 2022 Silverado has a listed 400 mile range on a full charge. For comparison, gas powered cars can typically boast a range around 400 miles per tank of gas. If you do frequent long drives, then the range should absolutely be a consideration in your purchase decision.
Fun to Drive
While it is true that all electric cars cost less to operate then their gas-powered cousins, the lower ongoing costs typically come at the tradeoff of a higher purchase price. The current price gap between equivalent models seems to be around $10,000, but this gap should continue to decrease as the technology matures. Despite this, EVs tend to cost less over the lifetime of the vehicle when you factor in gas and maintenance. However, there are often state and federal incentives and rebates that can close some/all of this purchase gap. Please contact us for more information as these rebate programs can and do change.
EV Vehicles from Buick GMC
GMC HUMMER
Introducing the first-ever all-electric SUPERTRUCKS
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EV CHARGING STATION HOME INSTALLATION
The ability to charge at home plays heavily into a consumer’s decision to purchase an electric vehicle. This partnership removes perceived barriers to finding a reputable, cost-friendly EV charging station installer. Through Qmerit, EV owners will be able to fill out a simple online survey and be provided with up to three competitive installer quotes. The survey will ensure quotes are precise based on the unique characteristics of the owner’s home.
Find Out More
EV CHARGING ON THE GO NOW EASIER THAN EVER
Energy Assist, first available for customers in 2017, currently enables EV owners to plan and manage their routes more effectively, locate available charging stations – both along their route and in the area – monitor their route and receive real-time alerts if their range projections change dramatically. Energy Assist is integrated with data from the vehicle, which enables intelligent planning and precise charge time predictions.
Find Out More
Sources
U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Omnibus Household Survey.
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, Maintenance and Safety of Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles.
Shah, Saurin D. (2009), Plug-In Electric Vehicles: What Role for Washington? (1st edition). The Brookings Institution. pp. 29, 37 and 43.
U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Saving on Fuel and Vehicle Costs.
Disclaimer
Some of these facts are provided by ChooseEV. Some numbers and statistics in this content may be estimates and subject to interpretation.
Many factors must be taken into account to determine the total cost of ownership of EV and traditional gas-powered vehicles.
This information is provided to give consumers a general understanding of EV concepts and opportunities.
Customers should review information from EV manufacturers before making a purchase decision.
More EV Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_car
https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a32758614/electric-cars-pros-and-cons/
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/10-pros-and-cons-of-electric-cars
https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2020/ev-charging-stations-continued-strong-growth-in-early-2020-nrel-report-shows.html
https://www.statista.com/statistics/416750/number-of-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-outlets-united-states/
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/charging-your-ev-without-a-home-charger
https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/batteries
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_charging_home.html
https://afdc.energy.gov/calc/
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-us-electric-vehicle-experience-evx-ownership-study
https://www.capitalone.com/bank/money-management/life-events/do-electric-cars-save-money/
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml
