If you are looking to change from a traditionally-powered vehicle to a fully electric or a hybrid, you will realize that this is going to be a totally new adventure. Driving around a battery-powered car brings plenty of advantages not only to you as the owner, but to the environment as well. But before you choose from the best electric cars for sale in san diego, here’s everything that you need to know.
What Is An Electric Vehicle?
Before you look into your Electric Vehicle (EV) options, it is crucial that you know what it really is. Electric vehicles usually have two major components – an electric motor and a battery pack. It utilizes both to power up and to drive the vehicle. There is no internal combustion engine, fuel pump, gas tank, or oil pan in a fully electric EV. When looking into your EV options, you have three – a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
Operating Range
With a fully-charged electric car, how far can you go? The current generation of electric vehicles can run for more than 200 miles. Still, it is crucial that you are aware of the model’s range, that it should be sufficient for what you need during your daily commute or when you are out and about with your weekend errands.
Charging Your EV
You cannot simply go to a gasoline station to charge your EV. Instead, you will have to find a public charging station or you can simply charge your vehicle at home. In fact, most EV owners don’t have to charge their cars every day because when fully charged, they will let you drive it for more than 200 miles before it needs to be charged again. And most of the time, charging the EV takes place at home.
Buying An Electric Vehicle
If you want to get yourself an electric vehicle, there are now options for you. You can buy a brand new EV or a pre-owned vehicle. Since electric cars are now more popular, huge car brands are also introducing their own. And in general, owners change vehicles every 3 to 5 years. This means there are now many used electric cars to choose from.
Experience Of Driving An EV
If you are used to driving a combustion car, the experience in energy consumption with the electric vehicle is somewhat different. If you are using the EV for city drives, the car uses less energy as it recuperates more effectively compared to when you drive it on the highway. And when on idle, the electric vehicle uses no energy at all. This means that it does not emit dangerous fumes to the atmospehere. This is why electric vehicles are more recommended for urban areas.
There are so many reasons why you should consider buying an electric vehicle. So if you are ready to get one, make sure that you know what you are getting yourself into. Do your thorough research and bring a mechanic with you during the inspection, especially if you are buying a pre-owned electric unit. And most importantly, only transact with a trusted car dealership.