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What to Know about Driving an Electric Vehicle
Making the switch to an electric vehicle might be easier than you think. If you’re in the market for a new (or new to you) vehicle, consider adding one to your research list.
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Three Dominion Energy employees discuss why they switched to driving an EV.Consumers today have more choices than ever when it comes to new and used vehicles. From sedans and minivans to SUVs and pickup trucks, there are options out there to fit everyone’s needs. As technology changes, more consumers are also considering electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as they research what’s right for them.
According to the International Energy Agency, EV sales as a share of total car sales have grown significantly, from about 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022. With tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act for EVs, as well as for the installation of charging infrastructure at homes and businesses, sales are expected to continue to rise.
How do you know if buying an electric vehicle is right for you
We asked three Dominion Energy employees who drive EVs what to consider.
Some people worry about running out of charge before reaching their destination. The good news is that as more EVs have hit the road, access to charging infrastructure has improved, with more than 130,000 charging ports now spread across the country according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
Additionally, the average range of today’s EVs has increased. According to an analysis from Bloomberg, as of 2023 the average EV range is now approaching 300 miles – more than enough to get you from Richmond, Virginia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dominion Energy lead human resources business partner Jenny Buck and her family have overcome their range anxiety – and have gone fully electric. Buck, her husband Alan, and her daughter Sienna all drive electric vehicles.
“Switching to an EV from a gas-powered vehicle wasn’t complicated,” Buck says. “Once you get comfortable with shifting your mindset to include a little bit of planning, the change is really easy.”
Because all three of their vehicles are electric, the Bucks opted to upgrade a standard 110-volt outlet (the kind for lamps, TVs, and other home appliances) in their garage to 220 volts for faster charging. A 220-volt outlet is what you would plug an electric stove or dryer into.
“If you’re not an EV driver, you might be surprised to learn that we do most of our charging at home,” Alan explains. “We do about 90% of our charging at home and we really only relying on public chargers when we’re on the road, traveling long distances.”
Charging three cars at home has had a small impact on their electric bill. “For us, the cost of one tank of gas is about equal to what we spend on charging at home for an entire month, says Alan.
The average cost of new cars sold in the United States has risen over the years.
In March 2023, the average price Americans paid for a new vehicle was $48,008 – a 53% increase from the average price about a decade ago. The average new EV sold in March 2023 was slightly more expensive, coming in at $58,940.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story.
The cost of a car or truck doesn’t end with your monthly payment – you also have the factor in maintenance and fuel. Electric vehicles have fewer maintenance costs and are on average three times cheaper to fuel than a typical gas-powered vehicle.
These cost savings were a major factor in the decision to purchase an electric vehicle for Ben Rice, manager of power generation at Roanoke Rapids Hydro Plant.
“I have a longer commute than most people, driving about 180 miles roundtrip to and from work,” Rice explains. “I was driving a Ram 1500, which meant I was spending about $1,000 per month on gas, before I made the switch to my EV.”
He charges both at home and at work, which means he now pays about $30-50 per month for the electricity that powers his car.
As more EVs hit the road, the used-car market for EVs is also growing. Qualified used EVs from licensed dealers might also be eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit of up to $4,000, making the purchase more affordable.
Austin Jones, manager of business development, bought his used 2014 Nissan Leaf last year.
While his car is nearly 10 years old, it still has the original battery – although much like a cell phone battery, over the years it has degraded slightly. His Leaf still gets nearly 80% of the original 84-mile range, which is more than enough charge to power his short commute and to run errands.
“I wanted an electric vehicle, but I didn’t want to have another car payment for my family,” Jones explains. “I was able to find a used car that fit my needs and my budget.”
Additionally, Jones, who lives in the city, does not have the ability to charge at home and charges his vehicle exclusively at work on the days he comes into the office. Installing charging infrastructure at facilities across our footprint makes it easier for our employees who want to make the switch to an electric vehicle.
“I think access to charging is a very important benefit that companies can offer their employees because it enables those that may not have the ability to install the charging infrastructure at their homes to remove that concern from their purchasing decision,” Jones said.
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