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Are electric cars practical?

I’m currently shopping around for a new car, and I’m seriously considering an electric vehicle. My only issue is that I’m not quite sure that it’s a sensible purchase; while my house isn’t in the middle of nowhere, it’s a couple of hours from the nearest big city, and I don’t think my small town is getting public charging stations any time soon. But I might also be underestimating the typical range of electric cars, too. Keeping all this in mind, is an electric car a practical choice?

avatar
Ben Guess · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question, and kudos to you for considering your next car so thoughtfully. I’m happy to say that although many new car buyers may still worry about the risks of choosing an
electric vehicle (EV)
, electric cars are very practical for people in many different locations.
One common reason for passing on an electric vehicle when shopping is the range anxiety that you describe: the fear of being unable to find a charging station before your car runs out of battery. However, many EVs today have a very wide range. Most current EVs can run over 200 miles on a full charge, and the Tesla Model S has the widest range of all at 402 miles on a full battery.
That said, Teslas can be expensive, and you may still be concerned. If you’re still worried about practicality, you can look at the next-best option:
plug-in hybrid cars
.
These cars both charge and fill up with gas, meaning that you have multiple power sources to fall back on. While recent EVs do have significant ranges, the ability to rely on gas in addition to electric charge can be reassuring to have, and many buyers do consider this the most sensible option.
When you do decide on the type of car that works best for you, it might be a good idea to get it insured at the same time. To do this easily, check out the
Jerry
app — we’ll make it easy to find the best deal on the plan you want. Just fill out some information for yourself and your new car, and we’ll get you customized quotes from top-of-the-line insurers. That way, all you need to do is pick the plan you prefer; we’ll also help you with every step of signing up.
Happy shopping!
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
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