The Electric Car Primer: What You Should Know

The Electric Car Primer: What You Should Know

Electric vehicles are making an impact. While only about 3% of new cars being sold are electric, that number is growing. More manufacturers are making a commitment to electric vehicles, and more consumers have these alternative fuel vehicles on their radar.

Here are some basics you should know before ditching your combustion-powered car.

Alphabet Soup

There are various types of electric cars. EV is the overall term given to cars that use electricity. A BEV is a battery-powered electric vehicle with only battery-powered electric motors. A hybrid electric vehicle is an HEV that combines both electric and combustion motors. They often use regenerative braking to generate energy when stopping that is stored in batteries. Finally, a PHEV is a plug-in hybrid that uses its combustion engine when the electric battery depletes.

Driving Range

One of the developments fueling the growing popularity of EVs is advances in batteries. It is common for today’s EVs to get from 299 to 499 miles before needing to charge. Use of heat and air conditioning can reduce the range of an EV.

Charging an EV

EVs can be charged at home or at charging stations throughout the country. Online resources can help you locate public charging stations. There are three basic charger types to recharge an EV. A Level 1 charger uses a normal three-prong plug that can be plugged in at home. These tend to be slow and seldom used. You may just get a few miles out of an hour of charging. Level 2 charges use 240 volt external adapters and household dryer type plugs.

Level 2 chargers can generally provide 20 to 30 miles of range per hour of charging time. Level 3 chargers, or DC Fast chargers, offer the fastest charging times, getting about 100 miles of range in about a half-hour of charging time.

Keep in mind that battery life is critical in a decision to buy an EV. Like your cellphone, your car will eventually need a new battery, and that can be an expensive proposition. This leads to a greater depreciation for EVs than for combustion-engine cars but also makes used EVs cheaper to buy.

If you have or are considering an EV, we can help you insure it. Contact one of our independent insurance agents for a free quote. Vehicles are changing and we can make sure your car insurance keeps up. Contact us today.


Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Want to learn more about our blog writer?

Read more about KayLynn's background.

Click Here

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Non-Profits Need Protection Too! Safeguarding Your Good Works with Insurance

Non-Profits and Insurance: Myths Busted! Protecting Your Good Works

Beyond the Grave: Burial Insurance vs. Life Insurance Explained

Don’t Be Buried by Confusion: Understanding Burial and Life Insurance

Cracking the Code: Your Car’s VIN and What It Means to You

VIN Decoder Ring: Unveiling the Mysteries of Your Car’s Identification Number

The Aftermath: Proving Your Possessions After a Disaster

Homeowner’s Insurance Hero: How to Prepare for a Claim Before Disaster Strikes

Lost in Translation: Skills of the Past That Young People Might Miss Out On

From Fax Machines to Fancy Footwork: 6 Skills Younger Generations Might Not Have

Beyond the Box Truck: When Does Your Business Need Special Vehicle Insurance?

Business on the Move? Don’t Get Stuck Without the Right Vehicle Insurance

From Bronze Age to Boomers: How Life Expectancy Went From Meh to Magnificent

How Long Will You Live? A Look at Life Expectancy Throughout History (and Why You Might Need Life Insurance)

From Chauffeur to Cheerleader: The Teen Driver’s (and Parent’s!) Guide to Car-Buying Chaos

Teen Driver on the Horizon? This Guide Will Steer You Through Car-Buying Chaos

When Branches Become Brawls: Who Pays When a Tree Attacks Your House?

Neighborly Nightmare: Tree Trouble and Your Homeowner’s Insurance

From Pet Rocks to Pokémania: A Funtastic Journey Through 50 Years of Fads

A Look Back, and a Look Forward