Why Drive Electric
The Benefits to Wellesley Drivers
- Performance. Any electric motor has more of something called torque, or tire-turning rotational force from the get-go than its equivalent internal combustion engine only counterpart. In addition to this 100% torque right off the line, most electrics also offer inherently better handling and ride due to their superior weight distribution and low center of gravity – A driving experience that hugs the corners! And finally, the ride is further improved by reduced overall cabin noise and less vibration.
- Reliability. “EVs have 10-times fewer moving parts than a gasoline powered car,” says advocacy group Plug in America. This means lower maintenance requirements and fewer things that can mechanically wear out or fail, which results in higher long-term reliability. And because electric cars all have regenerative brakes, the brake pads and rotors don’t wear as quickly, and may even last the life of the vehicle with little or no maintenance. Read about the plug-in electric car with over 400,000 miles!
- Convenience. An EV provides far greater convenience than the way we drive and fuel now. You charge an electric car like a cell phone — overnight, while you sleep. It’s sort of like having a gas pump in your garage, but without the mess. So, with an electric car you wake up back on “Full” and always ready to drive. And for many drivers, the car comes with all you need to get started, as charging can be done with the included adapter and a standard accessible outlet that most households already have in their garage or on the side of their house near a driveway.
- Savings. Electric cars offer long term cost savings that often can’t be beat. In many cases, after federal, state and other incentives are factored in, this savings makes EV costs less total to own over five years than a comparable gasoline only vehicle This is in part because the average long-term price of electricity is less than half what gasoline would cost for the same driving, and also in part because of those far lower maintenance requirements (that will save you time as well, as less time will be spent at the auto shop).
What is vehicle Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
The purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation. When choosing among alternatives in a car-buying decision, buyers should look not just at an item’s short-term price, which is its purchase price, but also at its long-term price, which is its total cost of ownership.
Calculating Cost of Ownership (5 years)*
Make/Model (fuel type) | Nissan LEAF (BEV) | Toyota Prius Prime (PHEV) | Honda Civic Hatchback (Gas only) |
MSRP (Inc destination & handling) | $29,280 | $34,070 | $26,045 |
Home charging station | $1,200 | $0 | $0 |
Federal tax credit | ($3,750) | $0 | $0 |
State incentive | ($3,500) | $0 | $0 |
Electricity** | $3,188 | $2,135 | $0 |
Gasoline | $0 | $1,683 (2/3 BEV+1/3 PHEV@ 52 mpg) | $7,720 (34 mpg & $3.50/gal) |
“Fuel” Total | $3,188 | $3,818 | $7,720 |
Maintenance & Repairs*** | $2,963 | $3,300 | $3,637 |
Insurance**** | $0 | $0 | $0 |
TOTAL | $27,103 | $27,848 | $30,837 |
*Example based on 2024 average fuel and energy costs; 15k annual miles of driving and 4 kWh per mile. Assumes majority of charging will be done at home in a municipal light plant town (avg $0.17/kWh). Actual costs will vary.
**These figures do not include any off-peak charging discounts or bill credits.
***Used WattPlan data sourced from Argonne National Laboratory 2021 report: Comprehensive TCO Quantification for Vehicles with Different Size Classes & Powertrains
****Insurance costs are comparable across models. Actual insurance cost varies considerably based on vehicle safety features, driving record, and garaging.
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