Currently, electric vehicles (EVs) are available in many types of models including sedans, SUVs, sports cars, vans, and pickup trucks. Now (in 2024) over 100 models of EVs are on the market in the United States. Several of these EVs are in the same price range as their gasoline equivalents, especially when tax credits or rebates are applied. Many of these EV models have a range of 300 miles or more; these vehicles can also be charged at home overnight (on AC power) or in as little as 20 to 30 minutes at a public DC fast charging station. The cost of owning an EV and the convenience of charging continue to improve.

 

Lower Cost of Ownership 

Auto dealers in Connecticut that sell EVs, both battery-electric EVs (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVS), now have significant inventory and are offering their own discounts in addition to federal and state incentives for purchase or lease of an EV. Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for new EVs and up to $4,000 for used EVs are available. These tax credits are available “cash on the hood” (at the time of purchase or lease) through a deduction from the purchase price at the time of sale—no need to wait to file your taxes! In addition, through the state CHEAPR program all new EVs priced up to $50,000 are eligible for rebates; these include $2,250 for a BEV and $750 for a PHEV. For qualifying members of less-advantaged communities, additional rebates of $2,000 for BEVs and $1,500 for PHEVs are available for both new and used EVs.

 

Maintenance and “fuel” costs of EVs are both lower than those of combustion vehicles. Compared to gasoline engines, electric drivetrains have far fewer moving parts and require minimal maintenance. The cost per mile of electricity as a “fuel” is significantly less than that of fossil fuels.

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More Convenient Charging

Surprisingly, charging at home can be accomplished with no required hardware at all other than the standard Level-1 charger provided with all BEVs and PHEVs. The battery capacity required for the average daily commute (37 miles in the U.S.) can easily be restored overnight with a Level-1 charger. This charger simply plugs into any 120-Volt wall outlet, already present in most people’s garages, and can provide 60 miles of range overnight. A faster Level-2 charger can be installed at your home at little or no cost to you because of a rebate of up to $1000 from United Illuminating and Eversource. This type of charger plugs into a 240-Volt outlet (similar to a clothes dryer outlet). A Level-2 charger will provide 25 or more miles of range per hour of charging. 

 

Connecticut currently has more than 500 public fast-charging ports. Many of these direct current Level-3 chargers can charge up to 200 miles of range in under 20 minutes. Through the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, the state is installing additional charging stations, each of which will include four high-speed Level-3 DC fast chargers, every 50 miles along designated locations on major highways. In addition, most EV manufacturers are adopting the Tesla-type NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector so that new EVs will be able to use the extensive Tesla charging network.

 

This fall, at National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) events you can talk directly with experienced EV owners and ask them about driving and charging their vehicles. This is a great way to get unbiased information from actual EV drivers. National Drive Electric Week events occur from September 27 to October 6 at communities throughout Connecticut. On the NDEW website, enter your zip code at the top of the page to find an event near you.