Comparing Electric Cars
When reviewing your options for electric cars, be sure to consider the following variables in making your decision:
Electric vs. Hybrid - is the car truly an 'electric car', or is it a hybrid? An electric car is powered solely by batteries, whereas a hybrid is primarily powered by a gasoline-powered engine, assisted by a battery. Not only are there differences in fuel, but it will impact other variables like top speed, vehicle weight and safety, range, etc.
Open body vs. Closed - some folks are selling 'electric cars' that are little more than golf-carts. Be sure to check if the car can actually be enclosed for inclement weather and still be driven.
Top speed - in spite of advances in battery technology, electric cars do not match gas-powered vehicles for top speed. Most electric vehicles would not be safe on a high-speed highway or interstate, but then again, most buyers aren't looking for an electric car do go long distances like that. Frequently top speeds will be around 25-35 mph, though a few models offer slightly more speed.
Range - the bad news is that most electric cars have a short range relative to gas-powered vehicles. Look for ranges around 50-60 miles being the norm. The good news is that most electric cars can be charged at any electrical outlet. Just be sensitive to the fact that some people may frown on you running an extension cord to their outlet so you can charge up your car (while they pay the electric bill)!
Street Legality - many models have restrictions on where they can be driven. Because of the lower top-speeds, highways and interstates may be off-limits. You'll see the term 'Neighborhood' used, meaning the vehicle must, by law, be kept to streets with lower speed limits. Be cautious of some models that aren't legal even in neighborhoods...models that are little more than golf carts.
Availability of Power - be aware of what is available in your area as far as recharging options. It is bad form (and illegal in some places) to simply plug in whereever you want. Certain areas, such as in California, actually provide recharging stations. In general, however, if you are keeping your daily range under 50-60 miles, you can just charge at night every night at your own house.
Time to Charge - some batteries take six to eight hours or more to reach full charge. This may be a factor depending on your schedule. If your nightly recharge is going to be shorter than that, you will need to find a way to charge it at work.
Battery Life - battery life for electric cars is usually measured in miles, ie: how many miles the car can be driven on a battery. Typically you'll see numbers around 20,000 to 30,000 miles, although newer batteries are getting more mileage.
Cost to Replace Battery - you can't just run to Walmart and get some AA batteries to replace the ones in your electric car. New batteries will likely cost $1500 to $3000 depending on the make and model of the car. When considering an electric car, figure out how many miles you will be driving per year to know how often you will need to replace the battery. Then figure out how much it will cost you per year to buy new batteries. They may be expensive, but will still be less than what you spend in gasoline.
Using these factors, you should be able to find the right electric car for your needs.
US $950.00
