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Are electric cars more practical than gas cars?
Are electric cars more practical for everyday use than gas cars? Why should I consider switching to a vehicle that spends half the day sitting on a charger?
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You have a good point, and the practicality of owning an EV really comes down to your personal preferences, schedule, and budget. Electric vehicles can often take
5-6 hours to fully charge
, or to at least get to 80% capacity (consider this ¾ of a tank as an analogy). That’s not practical for everyone. That’s why it’s important to look for an electric vehicle that has a large battery range (the number of miles it can be driven before needing a recharge). A good range is somewhere between 300-400 miles. In addition, you could consider, if you’ve got the money, whether you should install a Level 2
charging port
in your garage or outdoor space in order to charge your vehicle more quickly. With a higher voltage offered by a 240-rated outlet, a Level 2 charger could halve your charging time. Another thing to consider, if you’re wondering whether an EV is practical for you, is whether or not you can afford one at the moment. EVs are not only more expensive—sometimes more than $10,000-15,000 more than a new traditional vehicle—but they also cost more to insure. It’s always important to factor in insurance costs when you’re vehicle hunting.
But even with these minor issues, electric cars require less maintenance and fewer repairs in the long run. This adds a lot to their practicality factor.
Jerry
can help you lower your insurance costs and make budgeting for a new car even easier. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Get started today, and see how easy it is to save with our help. MORE: The Effect of Electric Vehicles On International Fuel Taxes
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- Gregory R.
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