Tallying Up Why Going Electric Makes Sense
Owning an electric car (EV) can be an excellent way to have a few advantages in life that drivers of liquid-fuel based cars will not have. First, a car with an electric motor does not use gasoline and they are much cleaner for the environment but the best things about these cars are the money saving options that people have when they own one. Some of the ways that electric cars save money may be obvious but there are some that a great deal of the public may be unaware of.
Tax Credits and Sales Tax
Did you know that by owning an EV, the government will offer tax credits? That’s right, and these credits are not small at all. They can range from $100 all the way up to nearly $8000 in credits for electric cars. Many states will also offer rebates on taxes for people that decide to go all electric. This started as an incentive for buyers because electric cars were introduced at higher costs than their gasoline counterparts were and the rebates helped consumers to balance the cost while keeping the environment cleaner. It is also great to not have to pay sales tax on gasoline and many states even offer electric cars with zero sales tax. Now that, is an incentive worth checking out. Here’s a spot to check out the latest on the incentive front (which tend to change frequently).
Gasoline and Other Things
It is a given that an EV owner will no longer need to spend money on gasoline for his or her car, but there are quite a few other things that come along with saving on the cost of gas. In the last 20 years the cost of gasoline has risen more than 100% and, while the cost of electricity has also risen, it is still less expensive to charge an electric car than it would be to fill up a gas tank on one. Another great thing about saving at the pump is the cost of drinks, snacks and other things that people tend to buy when they stop for fuel. Think of it this way, that soda or bag of chips bought at the gas station add up quickly if you commute a lot and have to stop for fuel several times weekly. On average, a person will spend around $1600 annually to fill up a car weekly with gasoline. With an electric car you will have no more fuel cost for gasoline, but you may expect your electric bill to rise to an extra $500 or $600 for electricity for charging if you charge at home. Many people are fortunate enough to be able to charge while at work for no cost at all, and if your office offers this, be sure to take full advantage of that cost saving perk. Even without a free charge amenity at work, an electric car can still possibly save you $500 or more annually when you no longer have to purchase gasoline.
Oil Changes
It is a given but when one owns an electric car, they no longer need to have their oil changed nor will they need repair work done for leaky radiators, plugs and wires, timing belts and many other things that are typical in gasoline powered vehicles. What could be better than not having to sit in the waiting room at the local dealership or fast lube place waiting to have your oil changed? Whether that wait is a mere 15 minutes or even several hours, most people would rather find more productive, or even entertaining ways to spend their time.
As you can see, owning an electric car has many advantages on top of keeping the air clean and ensuring a brighter future for mankind. Thinking of buying one for yourself? EV’s are a great investment for the environment as well as your finances and while many must be professionally shipped across the country because they may not be available in all sales markets, they truly are a great way to get around town or even across the country when you need to take a long trip and want to be able to save money on fuel costs. If you do purchase an electric car that is not available in the local market, it is advisable to have the car serviced by a service center for your brand vehicle.
Companies such as Tesla, for instance, offer numerous service centers and will even provide a loaner car while your car is being serviced. Tesla, as well as most manufacturers, recommend that an electric car be serviced at 1 year or 12,500 miles, 2 years or 25,000 miles and each additional year after. For individual companies, it is best to inquire about service before making the purchase so you will know what your alternatives for servicing may be. On top of everything, electric cars are fun to drive and guaranteed to spark conversations with friends and garner attention during a drive.
Indeed electric cars have more cost saving perks as compared to fuel based cars and also they are environment friendly.