That means the next new vehicle you buy will likely be electric.
So what should you think about as you prepare for this profound change?
HOW TO GET STARTED
1.
Understand the terminology
There are three main types of electrified vehicles.
This allows for roughly 20-40 miles of pure electric driving.
(This is Level 2 charging; see more below.)
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle can be a great solution.
“There are not currently, for instance, purely electric sports cars there, Voelcker says.
Were just getting to the point where we’re going to have three-row, full-size SUVs.
There aren’t midsize pickup EVs yet.
And theres a plug-in hybrid Pacifica minivan, but no BEV minivans.
MAINTAINING A CHARGE
6.
Understand power levels
There are three different levels and speeds of EV charging.
Thats a standard 110-volt outlet, like the kind in your house.
Next is Level 2, which uses a 240-volt electric line similar to those used on certain home appliances.
Francis says that can charge between 20 to 40 miles an hour, depending on the equipment.
The fastest charger, Level 3, can provide several hundred miles in an hour.
So youre not going to have it in your garage or your driveway, Francis says.
Its only going to be for commercial use.
Youll see it on highways or at the grocery store or in a Walmart parking lot.
Its just like an electric stove circuit or an electric welder, Voelcker says.
And be sure to use a certified electrician or someone that is familiar with EV specifics.
And then its just a question of where are you going to put the charging station?
How much wiring does that require from the panel?
Because you have to have a dedicated circuit for the charging station.
Your car dealer or your electric utility provider often can connect you with expert local installers.
Or just use a wall outlet
Not all electrified cars require a dedicated 240-volt outlet.
This is particularly relevant as the average American drives less than 40 miles each day.
The80/20rule
Batteries charge at different rates.
Additionally, regularly charging your battery to 100 percent can degrade it more quickly.
