Three kinds of electrified car
A hybrid pairs a gasoline engine with a small battery that is charged by the engine and by braking. You never plug it in, and it typically uses 30 to 40 percent less fuel than the same car without the system. A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery good for roughly 20 to 50 miles of electric driving, after which it runs as a regular hybrid. It suits a short commute with occasional long trips, provided you actually plug it in. A battery electric car has no engine at all, and most current models are rated for 220 to 350 miles on a charge.
Charging
- Level 1 is an ordinary 120-volt household outlet, which adds three to five miles of range per hour.
- Level 2 is a 240-volt circuit like a clothes dryer's, which adds 20 to 35 miles per hour and refills most cars overnight.
- DC fast charging is the highway option, which takes most cars from 10 to 80 percent in 20 to 45 minutes. Charging slows sharply above 80 percent, so on a road trip it is quicker to leave at 80 and stop again later. An electrician usually charges $500 to $2,000 to install a Level 2 circuit. Two fast-charging plug standards are in use here, so check which one the car has and whether an adapter is included.
What it costs to run
Most electric cars travel three to four miles on a kilowatt-hour. At a home rate of 15 cents, that is about four to five cents a mile, against roughly twelve cents for a 30-mile-per-gallon car on $3.50 gasoline. Public fast charging often costs two or three times the home rate. There are no oil changes and brake pads last far longer, but the extra weight wears tires faster. Federal and state purchase incentives change often, so confirm what exists this year before you count on any.
Range and the battery
The rated range assumes mild weather. Expect 20 to 30 percent less in freezing temperatures and somewhat less at a steady 75 miles an hour. Federal rules require the battery to be warrantied for at least eight years or 100,000 miles. For daily use, most manufacturers advise charging to about 80 percent and saving a full charge for trips, though some battery types differ and the owner's manual says which you have.
Tip Before you buy, rent the model you are considering for a weekend and live your normal life with it. Two days of real charging will tell you more than any range figure.
