Questions to Ask to See if an EV is Right For You

It has been over a decade since the first modern EV models entered our roads, and what a time it has been. There were different charging ports, pro-EV and anti-EV administrations, incentives, expired incentives, rumors of fires, a proliferation of EV charging stations, followed by vandalism of EV charging stations, and seemingly new EV models coming out every month. By 2025, EVs reached a market share of about 7.8%, peaking of 10.5% just before federal incentives were discontinued. Like the industry as a whole, some models sold beyond expectations while others flopped. But overall, EVs have moved past early adopters and are steadily moving toward the mainstream.

McFarland Chevrolet wants you to know that there are plenty of good reasons to consider an EV. To start, they are environmentally friendly because they produce no emissions during operation. Yes, they have a slightly greater environmental impact during manufacturing, as the oil industry will gleefully inform you, but their zero tailpipe emissions quickly offset this. There can still be emissions from the electricity source, but EVs are still environmentally positive because they are so much more efficient. EVs can convert 77% to 91% of energy into actual vehicle movement, compared with 12-15% for gas-powered vehicles, where much of the energy is lost as heat and through mechanical drag. 

As for the driving experience itself, EVs are quiet and smooth, can be quite quick (electric motors deliver instant torque), are very space-efficient (motors are small and there is no transmission), and have almost no drivetrain maintenance. 

However, EVs are not for everyone. If you are wondering if an EV can work for you, ask yourself the following questions: 

How and Where Will I Charge My EV?  

The best EV ownership comes with the ability to charge at home. Installing a Level 2 charger can cost several hundred or a few thousand dollars, depending on your home’s current electrical capabilities. But it is worth it, as having a charger at home lets you come home, plug in the car, and have the full operating range available the next day. It is also a desirable upgrade for your home.  

Of course, not everyone has their own garage or parking space where they can install a charger. Then you must check whether there is a charger near where you work or at some other convenient place where you won’t mind spending 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your charging needs. The internet can locate charging locations for you, and this information will likely be in the phone app that comes with an EV purchase. 

Is the Range Sufficient?  

Range is always discussed with EVs, because: 

1. Early models had a very short range, sometimes less than 100 miles, though most modern models have a range of 250 to 350 miles or more.
2. Charging infrastructure is nowhere near as widespread as gas infrastructure (which has had a more than 100-year head start), and charging takes longer than refueling.  

The fact is, range could be crucial or entirely meaningless depending on your driving habits. If you have another vehicle you use for long trips, relegating your EV mostly to commuting, and you charge at home, range may be irrelevant. Assuming your daily drive isn’t several hundred miles, you will come home and charge the car, and any additional range will not matter.  

However, if you plan to take long trips with this car, you will need to make sure you have charging stations at intervals of approximately 60-70% of your range. Keep in mind the rule of thumb: with public charging, you usually charge up to 80%. This is because charging slows down after that, and reaching 100% can take close to twice as long as reaching 80%. Thus, assuming you aren’t pulling into the charging station on your last few electrons and may have about 10% left, figure on a range of about 70% of the maximum.  

Should I Purchase New or Used?  

Some aspects of this question are similar to those of a gasoline-powered vehicle, such as the lower price of a used purchase versus the perfect condition, latest features, and full warranty of a new model. The additional concern with used EVs is the possibility of needing a battery replacement in the future. So far, only about 1.5% to 2.5% of EVs have required battery replacement, and most batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. It is good to know how the previous owner charged the battery when considering a used EV. Level 2 charging has little impact on the battery, while constant Level 3 or DC-direct charging can shorten a battery’s life, which is why such charging is only recommended for long trips and not day-to-day use. 

Does the EV Meet All of My Other Needs?  

This is no different from what you should ask before buying a conventional vehicle. Does it have enough space for you and your family? Is there ample cargo space for your activities? Fortunately, because electric motors are much smaller than gasoline engines, there is no transmission, and batteries are laid out under the cabin floor, EVs tend to have more space than similarly sized gas-powered vehicles.  

Am I Just Trading Gas for Electricity Costs? 

All things being equal, an EV will be significantly less expensive to operate. For an illustration, let’s compare the similarly sized gas-powered and EV Equinox models. Maysville enjoys fairly low gas prices, which average $2.65 per gallon as of this writing. With that in mind, a FWD gas-powered Equinox will cost $9.80 to travel 100 miles based on EPA estimates. Currently, Maysville’s average electricity cost is about 13.68 per kilowatt, which means an Equinox EV would cost about $4.20 to drive the same 100 miles. That is less than half the operating costs. Plus, keep in mind that electricity costs are much less volatile than gasoline prices. Oil, coolant, and transmission fluid are also absent in an EV, leaving washer fluid as the only fluid you need to maintain. 

If the answers to these questions point to an EV fitting your life, Visit McFarland Chevrolet, where Chevrolet carries the Bolt and EV versions of the Equinox, Blazer, and even the Silverado. And if EVs are not yet for you, we certainly have models for that as well.