Page Menu

What are the advantages of BEVs?

  • Though specific savings will depend on gas prices and your driving habits, BEVs cost less to operate than gas-fueled vehicles because electricity costs are equivalent to approximately $1 per gallon of gasoline.
  • Electricity prices are far more stable than gasoline prices, which means less fluctuation in how much you’ll pay throughout the year. Furthermore, because the U.S. electric supply does not rely on imported petroleum, the long-term outlook for pricing is better.
  • BEVs are highly efficient, converting about 80% of their energy input into moving the car. In contrast, gas-powered cars are only about 20% efficient; the remaining 80% of the energy input is lost to engine inefficiencies or used to power accessories.
  • Most BEVs have a regenerative braking system that captures energy and restores it to the battery when you stop.
  • Charging an electric vehicle at home is not a huge power drain. A BEV driven 10,000 miles a year may use between 2,500 and 3,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to charge; that is between $325 and $390 per year assuming an average residential electricity rate of 13 cents. This is approximately the same amount of energy used to operate an electric water heater for a family of four.
  • BEVs run on locally generated electricity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
  • The vehicles have less of a negative environmental impact because of higher efficiency, lower energy consumption, and no tailpipe emissions.
  • Electricity is not a “fuel” in the same way gasoline is. Cooperatives and other utilities produce electricity from many sources, including hydropower, nuclear, natural gas, coal, and increasingly, wind and solar generation. As the source of electricity gets cleaner, so does the vehicle.
  • BEVs require little maintenance beyond changing windshield wipers and tires. They have far fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles, so less can go wrong. Even brake pads last longer because of regenerative braking.
  • BEVs are extremely quiet, as there is no combustion noise produced.
  • BEVs have quick acceleration and are fun to drive.
  • BEVs get better range in stop-and-go traffic than during highway driving, making them ideal for in-city commuting.
  • BEVs are very safe to operate and charge. The vehicle inlet and charging equipment are required to be safety tested, certified, and listed by UL.